Assuming he was drunk (why else would anyone leave the scene of what was just an accident), the prosecutor can no longer obtain breathalizer or blood test evidence of drunk driving and making a case for negligent homicide would be more difficult, the penalties for which are far greater. this my not save him because if he was driving drunk, there are likely to be witnesses to his drinking and his drunken state could be proven by eyewitness testimony. Basicly, he knew he was screwed and he is desperately hoping to avoid the consequences of his crimes as he did with the sex abuse cases.
In any event, he and the diocese need to get out their checkbooks.