A Clinton Township man has accepted responsibility for a car crash that killed his friend.

Devin Byers, 22, on Wednesday pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle while drunk driving.

In exchange for the plea, prosecutors are recommending Byers spend 22 to 44 months in jail, followed by an undetermined amount of probation.

He will be sentenced Sept. 20 by Butler County Judge George Hancher.

"Devin is heartbroken about the death of his good friend Ben (Andrews)," said defense attorney Martin Sheerer of Pittsburgh. "This is very sad."

Byers reportedly told investigators he had several beers and a couple shots Sept. 14, the night he lost control of his car and crashed, according to testimony at prior court proceedings.

At about 10:10 p.m., Byers was allegedly speeding when his 1992 Acura Integra slid off of Sun Mine Road in Clinton Township, hit a pair of large trees and flipped upside down.

The car landed on its roof.

Byers was injured and his passenger, Andrews, 21, of Valencia, died instantly. Both men were wearing seat belts.

Blood tests performed about an hour after the crash showed Byers' blood-alcohol count was 0.12 percent

A level of 0.08 percent is considered intoxicated under state law.

Initially, Byers was charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence, separate counts each of homicide by vehicle and DUI, as well as three traffic violations.

Prosecutors agreed to drop the lesser charges when Byers pleaded to the felony.