By Charles W. Kim, Managing Editor
Plainsboro resident Rohit Maddineni, 26, was sentenced last week to three years in prison for a drunk driving accident that killed his friend following a birthday celebration, according to police.
Mr. Maddineni pleaded guilty to one count of vehicular homicide on Nov. 16.
The 3:41 a.m. crash on Dey Road in South Brunswick on March 31, 2012 killed passenger Pavan Gottumukala, 25, on his birthday after he and his friends were out celebrating, according to police.
Police determined that Mr. Maddineni lost control of his vehicle and struck a utility pole.
Mr. Gottumukala, who was a rear seat passenger, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
Another passenger, a 25-year-old female whose name is being withheld by police was also injured in the crash.
According to police, Mr. Maddineni must serve 85 percent of the sentence before being eligible for parole.
He had plead guilty in November and expected a six-year prison term under the plea agreement, but that sentence was reduced by Superior Court Judge Bradley Ferencz, sitting in New Brunswick, during the sentencing hearing, police said.
Once released, Mr. Maddineni will be placed on parole for three years, police said.

