ROCKVILLE, Md. (WUSA) -- An unusual follow up to a tragic crash in Olney last May that killed three young people and shattered the lives of many others.
The 20-year-old driver, Kevin Coffay, pleaded guilty to the crime. While the victims' relatives sobbed in court, Coffay took responsibility for the fatal crash, pleading guilty to three counts of vehicular manslaughter and one count of fleeing the scene of an accident involving death.
READ: Other Stories On The Triple Fatal Crash
"He's devastated and obviously not any more than those families and brothers and sisters. It's just an awful, awful thing," said Kelly Hartman, Coffay's neighbor.
Coffay's blood alcohol level, more than three hours after the crash, was .16, twice the legal limit.
"It was a horrific accident that affected thousands of lives and could have been any of our children," said Liz Connelly, Coffay's neighbor.
Now, six months later, parts of the car that slammed into this tree are still visible, along with faded memories of the three lives lost here. Steps away, a new guard rail stands watch, one that may help prevent a similar tragedy.
"I didn't realize how much I had until I lost it," said Jimmy Hoover, the brother of victim Johnny Hoover.
The crash killed three friends and hospitalized one other. Killed in the crash were: 18 year-old Haeley McGuire, 18 year-old Spencer Datt and 20 year-old Johnny Hoover. Their autopsies read in court revealed shocking injuries-broken bones, crushed skulls, and severely damaged organs.
"When I go home today, Johnny's not going to be there, I'm not going to be able to call Spencer, I'm not going to be able to see Haeley around," said Jimmy Hoover.
Added his older brother, Charlie Hoover, "Johnny was full of life, he was always smiling. I cannot find anyone who didn't like my little brother."
Coffay had gone to two parties before getting behind the wheel, despite at least one friend urging him not to, and another begging him to slow down. He fled the scene on foot, without checking on his friends, without calling for help.
Coffay remains out on bond. He will be sentenced on January 5th and faces a maximum penalty of 40 years in jail. A judge had to be brought in from Frederick County, Maryland to hear this case, since two of the victims' fathers are well known attorneys in Montgomery County.