Hit-and-run driver who killed teen cyclist pleads guilty

The man responsible for hitting and killing a Georgetown cyclist last January pleaded guilty to manslaughter and accident involving death. Court documents show Aaron Davison has agreed to serve two years in prison and 10 years of probation for the crimes committed.

Although the names and messages left on a ghost bike in honor of 19-year-old Tommy Ketterhagen have mostly faded away, the memories he left behind are still fresh in the minds of those who loved him. “Obviously we're never going to forget. It’s part of our family life to remember Tommy,” said Tommy’s father, Tom Ketterhagen.

Tommy was seen riding his bicycle on Patriot Way on January 23, 2017, but he never returned home that night. The next morning, Tommy's mother went looking for him and found his body in a ditch on the side of the road.

That's the same spot his family and friends chose for the avid cyclists memorial.

“It's an important spot for us. We just go by there a lot,” Tom said.

A witness of the crash told police he had seen a dark blue Chevy Silverado speeding and swerving down State Highway 130 the night Tommy was killed. The witness said that driver turned onto Patriot Way and hit something. Then got out of his truck and looked at the victim before getting back in his car and driving away.

A few days later, 20-year-old Aaron Davison turned himself in to police. At the time, he told detectives he was looking for a dropped cell phone when he hit Tommy. In court, he admitted to driving recklessly.

“Hopefully Aaron turns over a new leaf and changes his ways,” said Tom.

One year to the day that Tommy's body was discovered, the Ketterhagen's got justice. Davison pleaded to manslaughter and accident involving death.

“We'll never get Tommy back, so he could spend the rest of his life in jail and it wouldn't do any good. If he turns his life around, and maybe someday he'll be in the right place and time for the right reason and save a life, and then that would be a great legacy,” Tom said.

The Ketterhagen’s also wanted to remind other drivers to think twice before speeding or driving recklessly. “You're driving a deadly weapon. When you come in contact or get around pedestrians or cyclists, you have to be careful. You could kill somebody,” said Tom.

The judge still has to sign off on the final details of Davison’s plea deal.

That is expected to happen on March 6.