NORWICH – A man appearing in court Monday was charged with killing his passenger in an alcohol-related accident but avoided prison due to the fact the passenger in question was also his sister. The family told the court they had endured enough loss and wished for the defendant not to be sent to prison.

Leon L. Pierce Jr., 45, of Newark Valley in Tioga County, was originally indicted with one count of second degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, second degree vehicular assault and driving while intoxicated.

The accident occurred at 7:43 p.m. Feb. 25 in the Town of Bainbridge, along County Rt. 39. Pierce was driving home with his sister and a friend after playing pool and drinking beer since about noon. Pierce said the weather and conditions of the roads were a factor and that he was unfamiliar with the roads they were on. While approaching a turn, the friend in the pick-up mistakenly told Pierce to turn in the wrong direction and he lost control of the truck. The vehicle flipped and went off the road, killing Rose S. Dickson. The vehicle was traveling at regular speeds and investigators said they did not believe the accident was a result of “fast or erratic driving practices.”

“This man caused the death of his sister while drinking and driving. It was an unnecessary death and despite his remorse, he remains the person responsible that night and if he had not been intoxicated, she would still be here with us today,” said District Attorney Joseph McBride.

Pierce pleaded guilty to second degree manslaughter and driving while intoxicated.

He will serve the next five years on probation and complete 520 hours of community service. “How old was your sister, 52? And that was on purpose. You’ll serve 10 hours for each year of her life so that you might reflect on yours,” said County Court Judge Howard Sullivan.