The young man who has been charged with killing a local couple after drinking and driving has pleaded guilty to two counts of impaired driving causing death.

Chad Olsen, 22, of Sedalia, appeared in Red Deer provincial court on Monday and has been charged with two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, two counts of impaired driving causing death and two counts of operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level over .08.

Olsen will be sentenced in Red Deer on April 27, 2011.

Charges including dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol level over .08 are expected to be dropped.

Red Deer city RCMP and Red Deer Emergency Services responded to a call of a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Ironstone Dr. and 30 Ave. on Feb. 7 at about 2 a.m.

RCMP said a southbound green 2001 GMC pick-up truck struck an eastbound brown 2000 Chrysler.

Krista Howe, who was driving and Brad Howe, the passenger in the Neon were pronounced dead on scene.

Olsen, the lone occupant of the pick-up truck was treated and released from Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre before being arrested.

RCMP said Brad and Krista were wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision.

Olsen, who was released on bail earlier this year, is under 24-hour house arrest.

efawcett@reddeerexpress.com