Man pleads guilty in crash that killed bride

Published 10:01 am Monday, December 8, 2014

DOVER, N.H. — A New Hampshire man who crashed into a honeymooning couple, killing the bride and seriously wounding her husband, will serve at least 10 years in prison.

Forty-four-year-old Matthew Tsopas of Somersworth pleaded guilty Friday to 14 charges, including manslaughter.

Tsopas was convicted in the July 2013 death of 30-year-old Leah Fonda-Preiss, of St. Paul.  Her husband, 30-year-old Brian Preiss, suffered multiple fractures.

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Police said Tsopas had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit and had been taking prescription pills at the time of the crash in Rollinsford.

He fled the scene and was later arrested in Dover.

The couple had been travelling throughout New England on their honeymoon.