A drunk driver who smashed into and killed a beloved Kirkland father has pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and reckless driving.

Family members of Google engineer Steve Lacey are outraged he may only spend up to four years in prison.

Patrick Rexroat, 56, was chasing another car during a July 2011 road rage incident when he lost control, crossed a centerline, and smashed head-on into Lacey. Witnesses say Rexroat proceeded to jump up and down and pound his chest in a celebratory dance akin to a touchdown celebration.

Investigators say Rexroat's blood alcohol was .29, more than three times the legal limit. But under state guidelines, he can only be sentenced to between 36-48 months for both offenses. King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg will seek the high end when Rexroat is sentenced March 9.

Satterberg and Lacey's widow Nabila are leading an effort to increase the penalty for vehicular homicide in drunk driving cases. A bill now under consideration in Olympia would increase the sentence range to between 78-102 months for a first offense. The current range is 31-41 months for vehicular homicide.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter