ELLSWORTH (AP) – A Bar Harbor man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter and drunken driving charges arising from a fatal highway accident two years ago has been handed a three-year prison term.

Noah Mohr, 24, admitted that he was drunk and speeding recklessly at the time of the August 2005 crash on Route 102 in Mount Desert that fatally injured his 17-year-old passenger, Blaine Alley.

Mohr was sentenced Wednesday in Hancock County Superior Court to 14 years in prison with 11 years suspended, and faces four years of probation after his release.

Justice Jeffrey Hjelm said he sought to balance the impact of the loss on Alley’s family with Mohr’s remorse, acceptance of responsibility and potential for probation.

District Attorney Michael Povich had suggested a 15-year sentence with all but eight years suspended; defense attorney Daniel Pileggi recommended 10 years with all but six months suspended.

Mohr spoke briefly at the hearing, apologizing for what he had done. He said, “I’m sorry” twice, once while facing the judge and then again after he turned and faced Alley’s family.

Several members of Alley’s family told the court that the teenager’s death has left a void in their lives.

“I want to find some forgiveness, but I can’t right now. I don’t know how,” said Peter Alley, the boy’s father.

Members of Mohr’s family said the weight of the accident left the young man depressed and at times suicidal.

“He easily could have died that night,” said Mohr’s father, Jonathan Mohr. “And I know sometimes he wishes he had.”

Outside the courthouse, Alley’s aunt, Denise Alley of Mount Desert, said she was glad Mohr was going to prison.

“I don’t know that we’ll ever be happy, but at least it’s behind us,” she said, holding a framed picture of her nephew in front of her.

“I wish it was longer, but nothing would have been long enough.”

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Information from: Bangor Daily News, http://www.bangornews.com

AP-ES-11-01-07 0952EDT