AUGUSTA (AP) – Scott Hewitt remained in jail Friday after a superior court judge lowered bail for nine charges stemming from a July 29 fatal accident in which the trucker from Caribou was involved.

Kennebec County Superior Court Justice Kirk Studstrup set bail at $75,000 cash or $300,000 surety, or unencumbered real estate collateral.

Hewitt’s lawyer, Joel Vincent, had asked for a review of the $100,000 cash or $500,000 bail set last week by a district court judge. The new figures are lower, but are still much higher than the $20,000 surety or 10 percent cash bail sought by Vincent.

Hewitt remained in Kennebec County jail Friday in lieu of bail, officials at the Augusta facility said.

Studstrup on Friday also set three conditions for Hewitt’s bail: that he not drive, take no intoxicants and not leave the state. The judge said he would reconsider bail if Hewitt finds an organization to monitor him and make sure he shows up for further court appearances, according to Deputy District Attorney Alan Kelley.

Kelley said he understood the judge’s reasons for reducing bail, “but it’s still a very substantial bail, so hopefully that will be sufficient.”

Hewitt’s case has gained a high profile because of his extensive record of motor vehicle violations, including nearly two dozen license suspensions, leading up to the accident on the Maine Turnpike that fatally injured a 40-year-old Scarborough woman.

The accident outraged many Mainers and triggered calls for reforms from Gov. John Baldacci and several legislators. A task force is looking into possible law changes to curb repeat and habitual offenders who refuse to stop driving.

State Sen. Will Diamond, D-Windham, and Rep. Darlene Curley, R-Scarborough, said after attending Friday’s court session that they were disappointed Hewitt’s bail had been lowered.

“Based on his past history, I am very concerned that Mr. Hewitt will be on the road again, driving and endangering people,” said Diamond, who with Curley has submitted legislation to increase the penalties for those who continually drive after their licenses have been suspended.

Hewitt last week pleaded innocent to nine misdemeanor charges related to the accident on the Maine Turnpike. He also completed a sentence last week in Cumberland County Jail in Portland on motor vehicle charges unrelated to July’s fatal accident.