Once charged with murder, Dallas County man pleads guilty to manslaughter

After using his SUV to fatally hit a man outside of a Dallas County bar in 2014, Timothy Frye pleaded guilty this week to manslaughter and leaving the scene of a crime.

Frye, 25, previously faced charges of second-degree murder, assault and leaving the scene of an accident, but the charges were reduced through a plea deal he made with prosecutors, according to Dallas County Prosecutor Barbara Viets.

Authorities said Frye hit Corey Arthur outside of Lil Dallas Bar and Grill near Fair Grove in the early morning hours Dec. 13, 2014.

Arthur was transported to Mercy Hospital in Springfield but died two weeks later, according to court documents.

Charging documents said Frye also tried to hit another man with his SUV that night before driving away from the scene.

Frye has previously been convicted of several crimes, according to Viets, including burglary, resisting arrest and endangerment of a child.

As a prior and persistent offender, Frye faces up to 15 years in prison for manslaughter and up to seven years for leaving the scene of a crime, Viets said.

"I think this is a fair and appropriate plea agreement," she said.

According to Viets, witness accounts of the crime varied and had changed over time, and Frye's conviction still carries harsh penalties.

A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 24.

Court documents said witnesses saw an SUV driven by Frye hit Arthur and then strike a metal post as it drove away from the scene in December 2014.

Springfield police recovered the SUV four days after the incident when it was abandoned in the 1600 block of East Madison Street, according to court documents.

Documents said investigators collected DNA samples from the SUV's steering wheel, driver's door handle and light switch, along with paint scrapings from the front bumper and an energy drink bottle.

The case was heard in Webster County after Frye requested a change of venue, Viets said.