AUGUSTA — A minivan driver who tried to flee from a Winthrop crash scene almost two years ago pleaded guilty last week in Kennebec County Superior Court to being drunk at the time of the accident.
Donna L. Harris, 46, of Augusta and formerly of Monmouth, was sentenced Thursday to eight years in jail, with all but one year suspended and three years’ probation on a felony conviction for operating under the influence and several other misdemeanor offenses.
The crash — which occurred about 8 p.m. Nov. 18, 2009, on U.S. Route 202 near the East Winthrop Post Office — left two of the three drivers charged with OUI.
Harris was also convicted of operating after habitual offender revocation; criminal mischief; and failure to stop in connection with the crash; and of unlawful possession of scheduled drugs and violating conditions of release, which occurred Sept. 19 in Monmouth.
Harris fled the scene on foot and eventually was found by a state police dog and taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries suffered in the crash.
She was fined $3,500 and ordered to pay $100 as restitution. Her license and registration privileges were suspended for 10 years.
Before the Sept. 19 incident, Harris wrote to the court to say her last drink had occurred on May 5, 2010, when she was again arrested by Monmouth police and charged with violating conditions of release.
She had been participating in inpatient substance abuse programs for a number of months, and several counselors wrote to the court about her recovery.
The other driver charged with OUI in connection with the same crash, Timothy S. Culbert, 55, of Winthrop, is scheduled to go to trial shortly, District Attorney Evert Fowle said.
“We were not able to try the case while Ms. Harris’ case was pending,” Fowle said.
Several other people were sentenced last week in separate hearings in Kennebec County Superior Court:
* William Annis, 50, of Winslow, reckless conduct Aug. 28 in Oakland; $500 fine.
* Bridget D. James, 45, of Gardiner, OUI, violating condition of release, and two counts of illegal possession of scheduled drugs, all July 29 in China; 30-day jail sentence; $1,300 fine, 90-day license suspension.
* Charles William Reed, 31, of Monmouth, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer Jan. 6, 2010, in Winthrop; $200 fine.
* Jacob York, 20, of Winslow, unlawful possession of hydrocodone April 21 in Waterville; 48-hour jail sentence with credit for time served, $500 fine.
Betty Adams — 621-5631
badams@centralmaine.com
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