A man accused of drinking and driving and crashing into another vehicle while traveling the wrong way on the QEII Hwy. earlier this year has pleaded guilty to some of his charges.

Tyler James Stevens, 29, of Cochrane was charged with four counts of impaired driving causing death, one count of impaired driving causing bodily harm, four counts of failing to provide a breath sample, four counts of criminal negligence in the operation of a motor vehicle causing death and one count of criminal negligence in the operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm.

His lawyer pleaded guilty to four counts of criminal negligence causing death and one count of criminal negligence causing bodily harm on his behalf in Red Deer court on Monday.

On March 4 at about 11:10 p.m., Innisfail fire rescue and EMS responded to a head on collision on the QEII Hwy. at the southern edge of Innisfail.

“The crash took place about 500 metres north of the Cottonwood overpass,” said RCMP Const. Doug Dewar. The southbound lanes were shut down for about three hours after the crash.

From witness accounts, a northbound Range Rover SUV was being driven in the southbound lanes and collided with a southbound automobile.

Alcohol appears to be a factor.

Four occupants including Anthony Subong Castillon, 35, Joey Flores Mangonon, 35, Eden Dalu Biazon, 39, and Josefina Flores Velarde, 52, died as a result of the crash.

Josephine Gaila Tamondong, 28, was transported to the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton.

They were all reportedly temporary workers from the Philippines.

Stevens was transported to Red Deer Regional Hospital and treated. He refused to provide a breath sample.

A sentencing hearing will be held for Stevens on Jan. 4, 2013 in Red Deer provincial court. The remainder of his charges will also be spoken to at that time.

efawcett@reddeerexpress.com