Driver pleads guilty to charges related to Arizona news chopper collision that killed 4

Guilty plea in fatal Ariz. news chopper collision

PHOENIX — A man accused of leading police on a car chase that two news helicopters were covering when they collided and exploded over a Phoenix park has pleaded guilty to several charges related to the 2007 incident.

Christopher Jermaine Jones pleaded guilty Tuesday to four counts of aggravated assault, which prosecutors say stem from trying to run down police with a stolen car.

He also pleaded guilty to auto theft, unlawful flight and failing to stay at an accident scene. His sentencing was scheduled for Sept. 30.

Killed were KNXV pilot-reporter Craig Smith and cameraman Rick Krolak, and KTVK pilot-reporter Scott Bowerbank and cameraman Jim Cox.

The helicopters crashed and burned July 27, 2007, as TV news crews covered a chase involving Jones, who had fled a traffic stop.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

PHOENIX (AP) — A man accused of leading police on a car chase that two news helicopters were covering when they collided and exploded over a Phoenix park has pleaded guilty to several charges related to the 2007 incident.

Christopher Jermaine Jones pleaded guilty Tuesday to four counts of aggravated assault related to the deaths of the two-man crews on the helicopters.

He also pleaded guilty to auto theft, unlawful flight and failing to stay at an accident scene. His sentencing was scheduled for Sept. 30.

Killed were KNXV pilot-reporter Craig Smith and cameraman Rick Krolak, and KTVK pilot-reporter Scott Bowerbank and cameraman Jim Cox.

The helicopters crashed and burned July 27, 2007, as TV news crews covered a chase involving Jones, who had fled a traffic stop.

(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow. Corrects that aggravated assault charges stem from attempts to run down officers)