Deputy Who Killed 2 Cyclists Makes Plea

A sad case all around appears to have come to a close in the South Bay.

The San Jose Mercury News is reporting Santa Clara County sheriff's deputy who struck and killed two bicyclists with his patrol car has pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter.

Some witnesses said they heard the deputy say he may have fallen asleep at the wheel. The California Highway Patrol has declined to say if investigators found evidence of that.

Prosecutors say they reached a deal with James Council on Friday that will sentence him to four months in jail. He also must do community service and pay restitution to the families of Matt Peterson and Kristy Gough.

Council changed his plea from not guilty just as his trial was to begin Monday. His attorney, Mary Sansen, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Authorities say Council's car crossed double-yellow traffic lines on March 9, 2008, and hit the two experienced cyclists. A third man was injured.