Ex-chief gets 7 years for drunken driving death

ROCKVILLE, Ind. (AP) - A former western Indiana fire chief is going to prison for crashing his car into a house, killing a man and injuring his wife.

The Tribune-Star reports 39-year-old Michael Collom of Mecca pleaded guilty to causing death and serious bodily injury while driving drunk. Parke Circuit Court Judge Samuel Swaim sentenced him Friday to five years in prison and two years in community corrections.

Collom resigned as Mecca's fire chief following the June crash that killed 43-year-old Stacey Williamson and injured Mary Williamson. Collom had been drinking at a tavern before his Ford Mustang struck an embankment, went airborne and crashed through the Williamson's bedroom.

Collom expressed regret for his actions in court.

Under a plea agreement, prosecutors dropped charges of reckless homicide, criminal recklessness and two other counts.