The motorist who last March struck and killed Bernard “Bernie” Piotrowski, a well-known member of the GLBT community, pleaded guilty Jan. 18 to vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and hit and run resulting in death.

Keith Terez Johnson, 28, of San Diego, faces nine years in state prison when he is sentenced on April 11. San Diego Superior Court Judge Charles Rogers said he would not sentence Johnson to more than nine years. Court documents indicate Rogers may sentence Johnson to six or seven years. The maximum sentence is 11 years.

Johnson is being held at the George F. Bailey Detention Facility without bail, and he will not be allowed probation.

Johnson hit Piotrowski, 50, of La Mesa, killing him almost instantly, on March 19, 2007, while Piotrowski was walking on the 6900 block of University Avenue. Johnson was driving approximately 80-90 mph in a black Acura, when he struck Piotrowski, severing his arm, and crashed into Belief in God Ministries church on 69th Street. Paramedics prounounced Piotrowski, whose arm was found 10 feet away from his body, dead at the scene.

Piotrowski was active with many GLBT organizations, including Mama’s Kitchen and Front Runners & Walkers San Diego, a running and walking club for GLBT people.

Piotrowski’s last conversation was with a bus driver, Margie Limon, who said Piotrowski asked her if her bus was heading to downtown La Mesa. Limon said her bus wasn’t, and Piotrowski said he could walk to La Mesa. The Acura struck Piotrowski from behind. Limon said “he never knew” what hit him.

Johnson ran from the scene, but was quickly arrested. Described as a gang member in court, Johnson said he had been driving so far above the speed limit because someone was chasing him.