FARMINGTON – A Chesterville man pleaded guilty Tuesday to drunken driving and was sentenced to 364 days in jail, with all but 60 days suspended.

Kristopher Hiltz, 28, was initially charged with felony operating under the influence, but the charge was lowered to a misdemeanor Tuesday.

Hiltz was driving a sport utility vehicle in February 2005 in Jay when he lost control on icy Route 140 and struck a pole on the driver’s side, snapping the pole in three pieces. Four people, including himself, were injured, one critically.

State prosecutor James Andrews said Tuesday that Hiltz’s alcohol blood level was 0.10 several hours after the accident. Andrews also said that Hiltz had an unremarkable criminal history but had a prior operating under the influence charge.

Justice Joseph Jabar also sentenced Hiltz to one year’s probation, 18 months loss of license and a $700 fine.

Hiltz’s attorney, Ron Hoffman, asked the court for a stay of sentence until April 24 so Hiltz could continue working shutdown at various mills, pay his fine and set it up so that his wife and three children wouldn’t have to worry while he was in jail.

Jabar also agreed to start Hiltz’s probation now, after Hoffman suggested it.

“Probation starts immediately,” Jabar said. “That means no alcohol, not one drop.”