07/23/12 The man convicted of killing Plymouth residents Amber McMillin and Nicholas White on October 16th, 2009 was sentenced in Starke County Circuit Court Thursday.
Dale Hite was driving a vehicle with McMillin and White in the evening. As they approached a residence they realized Starke County Police were searching the residence because of a call of suspected methamphetamine manufacturing. The vehicle sped away from a residence and a police pursuit ensued. Hite turned off the cars headlights to avoid police. As he sped along 600 North, at times going over 100 mph. The vehicle went off the roadway and into some trees where the impact caused both McMillin and White to be ejected from the vehicle. They both died at the scene.
During the investigation of that crash 2 and a half years ago, police found methamphetamine in Hite’s pants pocket. He was charged with eight counts; two counts for resisting law enforcement resulting in death, two counts of reckless homicide, one count of resisting law enforcement, failure to stop at a stop sign, failure to use headlights from dusk to dawn and possession of methamphetamine.
Starke County Judge Kim Hall sentenced Dale Hite to 15 years each for the charges of resisting law enforcement resulting in death. The sentences are to be served consecutively. Hite was sentenced to three years for the possession charge which is to be served concurrently. The other charges were merged with the sentence Judge Hall issued. Along with 30 years in prison, Hite will pay restitution in the amount of $1,000 to cover the deductible to repair the Sheriff’s Department vehicle. The judge also ordered Dale Hite to participate in a methamphetamine treatment program while in prison. He will be given credit for the 217 day he has already served in the Starke County Jail.
