After 170 MPH crash that killed best friend, Johns Island man goes to prison for 6 years (2024)

A Johns Island man who killed his best friend in a 2022 crash while driving nearly 170 mph followinga July 4 weekend party will spend six years in prison.

Brett Baker-Goines, 25, pleaded guilty June 4 in Charleston County Circuit Court to reckless homicide in the killing of Ethan Linhart, 23.

Judge Bentley Price accepted the negotiated plea and sentenced Baker-Goines to six years in prison followed by four years on probation. Police charged Baker-Goines with driving under the influence in the accident, but prosecutors dropped that charge in a plea deal.

Baker-Goines, Linhart and another friend were returning from a party on July 3, 2022, when Baker-Goines' maroon Dodge Charger was speeding on Johns Island along Main Road near Mary Ann Point Road.

At about 11 p.m., Baker-Goines ran off the road into a ditch. His car then flipped end over end, striking several trees. The car came to a rest vertically against a tree.

Air bag sensors in the vehicle clocked Baker-Goines' car traveling at about 169 mph, Assistant Solicitor Charles Patrick said June 4.

Baker-Goines and another man survived the crash. Linhart, who was the rear passenger, died. The other surviving passenger told police they had all been drinking that night. Police observed Baker-Goines with slurred speech and bloodshot eyes, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

Baker-Goines was originally charged with felony driving under the influence resulting in a death as well as reckless homicide. Prosecutors dropped the DUI charge because Baker-Goines' blood alcohol content that evening was below the legal limit for even suspicion. He had a small amount of drugs present in his system, Patrick said.

Baker-Goines faced between six years and 10 years in prison for the reckless homicide charge. Prosecutors asked for the maximum. Price gave the minimum and probation.

Before Price issued his decision, Cindy Linhart called her son a "peacemaker" and said she was speaking for her son to Baker-Goines in court.

"He would say, 'Peace be with you, Brett,'" she said.

She said she wanted him to serve his prison sentence and then get his self-respect back, marry someone and then "finish your story." She said she placed Baker-Goines at the top of her list of prayers.

"I hope you honor my son's legacy moving forward," she said in court.

Linhart was a graduate of Buist Academy for Advanced Studies and Academic Magnet High School, according to his obituary. He was student body president and captain of his football, basketball and baseball teams during his senior year of high school. He attended the United States Air Force Academy and was earning his pilot's license as he worked with Jet Logistics. He loved making others happy, according to his obituary.

Linhart's family reached a $411,000 settlement with Baker-Goines' insurance company in January.

Baker-Goines said in court he wanted Linhart's family to know he was taking responsibility for his friend's death in pleading guilty.

"I hope to bring some peace and closure to the Linharts," he said.

Baker-Goines had no prior criminal record.

Baker-Goines had suffered two traumatic brain injuries while playing basketball at First Baptist School of Charleston. In 2018, a jury awarded Baker-Goines $5.87 million after the school rushed him through the South Carolina Independent School Association's "return to play protocol." Five weeks after his first concussion, he suffered another, resulting in permanent brain injuries that delayed his educational, social and emotional development, The Post and Courier reported at the time.

"This was a five-year battle that ended with the truth," Baker-Goins said in a statement after the 2018 verdict.

Christopher Skipper, Baker-Goines' criminal defense attorney, said the brain injuries delayed his client in receiving his high school diploma and made him impulsive at times.

Skipper and Baker-Goines did not blame the accident on his prior injuries. At the time of the accident, Baker-Goines' brain had made progress in recovering from the injuries, he said. Neither Baker-Goines nor Skipper attributed the decision to drive at nearly 170 mph to his prior brain injury.

"It certainly does not excuse the conduct," Skipper said.

Skipper asked Price to provide additional medical care to Baker-Goines in his sentencing. The accident reinjured Baker-Goines' brain. A March brain scan showed improvements, Skipper said.