WILMINGTON, N.C. -- A man has pleaded guilty for a wreck in North Carolina that killed his friend on New Year's Day.

• Steven Derengowski pleaded guilty to death by motor vehicle.
• Crash killed Billy Kolasa.
• Derengowski was sentenced to at least six years in prison.

Steven Derengowski, 25, of Wilmington, pleaded guilty Wednesday to death by motor vehicle in New Hanover County court.

Derengowski was charged in a wreck that killed his friend, 25-year-old Billy Kolasa.

Assistant District Attorney Doug Carriker said Derengowski missed three warning signs before driving at 80 mph into a massive yellow crane being used to repair a bridge that crosses Lords Creek.

Prosecutors say his blood alcohol level was 0.16 percent, twice the legal limit in North Carolina.

Derengowski has been sentenced to between six and nine years in prison.