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Man Enters Guilty Plea In Deadly Harnett Restaurant Accident

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David Brachear
HARNETT COUNTY, N.C. — A truck driver learned his punishment for his role into an accident at a Harnett County restaurant.

David Brachear pleaded guilty Tuesday involuntary manslaughter, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, inflicting serious injury, speeding, improper brakes and failure to stop for a light.

Authorities said Brachear was speeding and not paying attention when he crashed his dump truck into Peggy's Seafood Restaurant last summer. Dale Hardee, the son of the restaurant's owner, was killed and two others were hurt.

Brachear received a suspended jail sentence and five years' probation. The Hardee family said they did not want a harsh sentence against Brachear or for him to go to prison, only that he apologize and show remorse about the accident.

At one point during the hearing, Hardee's mother told Brachear that "I have no animosity toward you. I love you and I love your family."

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