The Taunton man accused of killing a beloved Fall River crossing guard in a head-on collision while driving drunk changed his plea to guilty on Wednesday and was sentenced to state prison. 

Ricky Ponte, 30, of Taunton, told Judge Claudine Cloutier in Bristol County Superior Court that he was guilty of all four charges against him: manslaughter while driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, causing serious injury while driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in personal injury. 

On March 10, 2024, Ponte was drunk when he drove his black Mercedes on Route 44, traveling at 72 mph in a 40 mph zone. He attempted to illegally pass a car, crossing a double yellow line, when his vehicle crashed head-on into an SUV being driven by 67-year-old Margaret “Peggy” McGowan, around 380 Winthrop St.  

McGowan, a longtime social worker who became a Fall River crossing guard in her retirement, was severely injured; she died of her injuries on March 28. 

Read more at heraldnews.com.