Maine man to plead guilty in I-95 death

BRENTWOOD, N.H. – A Maine man accused of causing a fatal accident on Interstate 95 last year says he plans to plead guilty.

Scott S. Sheppard, 38, whose last known address was Augusta, Maine, was driving north in Hampton Falls last Feb. 16 when his sport utility vehicle crossed the median into oncoming traffic, police say.

Police say Sheppard, who allegedly was under the influence of heroin, struck two cars, one driven by Richard McLellan, 59, of Dover and the other by Mark Dutkewych, 27, of Portland, Maine.

All three were taken to Exeter Hospital, where McLellan was pronounced dead a short time later. Both Dutkewych, who suffered head and neck injuries, and Sheppard were hospitalized.

Sheppard was arraigned in his hospital bed the next day and charged with negligent homicide.

Sheppard posted bail and was released from the hospital the day of his arraignment. In June, grand jury indictments charged him with manslaughter, negligent homicide, assault and drug possession.

Sheppard was jailed two weeks later when a judge raised his bail from $50,000 to $350,000. His trial was scheduled for Feb. 4. He will plead guilty and be sentenced after a pre-sentence investigation.