The Region - News from July 18, 1985

Vincent Neil Wharton, 24, lead singer of the heavy-metal rock band Motley Crue, pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter and drunk driving after the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office agreed not to seek jail time if he makes restitution to his victims and is placed on probation. Wharton, who uses the stage name Vince Neil, entered the plea in South Bay Municipal Court. Commissioner Francis J. Hourigan ordered the singer to return to Superior Court on Sept. 20 for sentencing after the county Probation Department completes a report on how much money the victims are entitled to. Superior Court Judge Edward A. Hinz Jr. will not be bound by the agreement but is expected to approve it. The singer was arrested Dec. 8 after his sports car went out of control in Redondo Beach and crashed head-on into another vehicle, injuring a young couple and killing Wharton’s passenger, Nicholas Dingley, drummer for the band Hanoi Rocks.