A Fairfield man pleaded guilty Friday to the DUI traffic crash deaths of two of his friends three years ago.

Timberland Kinte Laster, 25, was charged with two counts of murder in the Feb. 27, 2021, deaths of Montez Undra Tolbert Jr., 25, of Bessemer, and Bishop Jones, 23, of Hueytown.

The crash happened at 12:45 p.m. that Saturday near the 118-mile marker in the southbound lanes of I-59.

According to authorities and court records, Laster was driving a Chevrolet Cobalt that was speeding and swerving in and out of lanes.

The Cobalt struck another vehicle, causing Laster to lose control, run off the roadway and overturn.

Tolbert and Jones were ejected from Laster’s vehicle. Both were pronounced dead on the scene at 12:46 p.m.

The two passengers of the other vehicle were taken to UAB Hospital but survived their injuries.

Charging documents said Laster was under the influence of alcohol and/or THC at the time of the crash.

Laster pleaded guilty to both counts of murder.

Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff Judge Thomas Thrash sentenced Laster to 20 years in prison with five years to serve, followed by five years of probation.

He was booked into the Jefferson County Jail Friday following his guilty plea and sentencing.