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Manteca Man Pleads Guilty To Driving With Wife On Hood

MANTECA (CBS / AP) -- A San Joaquin County man who drove 51 miles with his wife clinging to the hood of his minivan has pleaded guilty and agreed to be sentenced to five years in prison.

Christopher Carroll entered the plea to attempted murder and spousal abuse charges Wednesday as part of a deal with prosecutors, who downgraded the murder charge to say Carroll's actions were not premeditated.

The 26-year-old Manteca resident was arrested after the February incident, which authorities say stemmed from an argument. Carroll's 25-year-old wife, Rebecca, stood in front of the van as he tried to drive away.

The Stockton Record reports that she recounted in court Wednesday that her husband turned up the music to drown out her screams and swerved through freeway traffic to throw her off the van.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)

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