A Waldoboro man is serving nine months in jail after pleading guilty to charges of operating under the influence and aggravated driving to endanger, both Class C felonies.
Matthew Springer, 24, was operating a Ford Ranger southbound on Goose Hill Road in Jefferson March 12, 2013, when he failed to negotiate a corner and struck a utility pole, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Lt. Rand Maker said at the time.
Maker listed Travis Condon, then 22, and Brandon Maddocks, then 18, both of Washington, as riding in the bed of the pickup, and Felicia Glidden, then 19, of Washington, and Christopher Benner, then 20, of Damariscotta, in the cab.
Springer “lost control of the vehicle as he approached a sharp corner, misjudged it and drive off the road, and ran into a utility pole,” wrote Andrews Campbell, one of Springer’s attorneys, in a sentencing memorandum.
Springer had been drinking alcohol and tested at a blood alcohol content of 0.09, and had smoked from a bowl of marijuana at the time, Campbell wrote.
The accident occurred on Springer’s birthday, according to court documents.
Condon was thrown from the vehicle, sustaining serious back injuries, and Glidden sustained serious head injuries, Maker said at the time.
According to Campbell’s memorandum, Glidden broke her neck in the accident but fully recovered, while Condon was paralyzed from the waist down.
“The injustice and tragic consequence of the event is tragic as it is undeniable,” Campbell wrote. “… guilt and remorse will remain with Mr. Springer the rest of his life.”
Springer has since met with a substance abuse counselor at least once per month, worked toward completing his GED, attended at least one Alcoholics Anonymous meeting per week, and changed his lifestyle, Campbell wrote.
Springer pleaded guilty to both charges on May 29, and was sentenced to four years imprisonment with all but nine months suspended followed by 2 years probation for the OUI charge, and nine months imprisonment for the aggravated driving to endanger charge, with the sentences to be served concurrently.
Springer’s driver’s license was suspended for six years, and he will be required to pay $2,675 in fines.
Springer had a previous juvenile OUI offense, according to Campbell’s memorandum.
A call to Campbell for comment was not returned by press time.
