Man Receives Six Months Jail, Probation in DUI Crash That Killed 'Oscars' Director

A 75-year-old man admitted driving drunk, causing the death of a Hollywood television director, and was sentenced to six months in custody, five years probation and ordered to take part in a DUI impact program, court records show Wednesday.

Keith B. Stewart of La Quinta entered guilty pleas to a pair of misdemeanor counts: vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, without gross negligence, and driving under the influence causing injury.

Under the plea deal with prosecutors, which was certified on the day of his scheduled arraignment last Friday, Stewart is required to sign up for electronic monitoring and must perform 900 hours of community service and forfeit all interest in a 2015 Cadillac Escalade.

He has until April 1 to take part in a victim impact program sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

It was not immediately clear whether Stewart would be serving the in-custody portion of his sentence in a county lockup or at home.

The May 21 crash occurred around 9:25 p.m. in the 49700 block of Via Conquistador, a cul-de-sac adjoining the Rancho La Quinta County Club.

Stewart stopped to allow Marty Pasetta and another passenger to exit his vehicle. The driver then also got out of the car, but failed to put it in park or turn off the engine, sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Frederick said.

The vehicle hit the two passengers, killing Pasetta and leaving the other person, whose name was withheld, with serious injuries, Frederick said.

Stewart, who also suffered minor injuries in the crash, was booked hours later and quickly released on a $500,000 bond.

Pasetta was a well-known director of live television events, including 17 Academy Awards shows, the Grammys and inaugural galas for presidents Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter.

--City News Service, photo courtesy of the Riverside Sheriff’s Department