AUBURN – Christopher Boutin of Turner will serve three years in prison for the July 2007 drunk-driving crash that killed a paramedic and severely injured two other people.

In an emotional hearing Wednesday that had both sides in tears, Boutin, 30, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for manslaughter, with all but three years suspended, and four years of probation. He was also sentenced to three years for aggravated operating under the influence, which he will serve at the same time as the manslaughter sentence.

Boutin’s license was suspended for 10 years and he will be required to pay a $2,100 fine and spend 60 hours in community service, likely talking to schoolchildren about the dangers of drinking and driving.

By law, Boutin could have received up to 30 years in prison for manslaughter and 10 years for OUI, but the state agreed to a reduced sentence in exchange for Boutin’s guilty plea last month.

“It’s finally over. It’s just finally over,” said 23-year-old Amy Parsons, whose father, Allan Parsons, was killed in the crash.

Boutin was driving on Potato Road in Turner shortly after 3 a.m. on July 5, 2007, when he crashed into a Med-Care ambulance at the intersection with Route 4. Boutin had attended a Fourth of July party earlier that night and had been drinking. His blood alcohol level was .16, twice the legal limit.

The ambulance, which had its emergency lights on, was transporting 48-year-old Paula Holman, who had been injured in an ATV accident. Arlene Greenleaf, 68, was driving the ambulance while paramedic Allan Parsons, 47, cared for Holman.

Both Greenleaf and Holman were seriously injured when Boutin’s truck hit the ambulance. Parsons, who lived in Wilton, was killed on impact.

Although the state agreed to a reduced sentence, it disagreed with the defense about the length of time Boutin should serve in prison. On Wednesday, Assistant District Attorney Nicholas Worden asked for three years. Boutin’s lawyer, Anthony Ferguson, asked for one to two years.

In a plea for the state’s recommendation, six of Parsons’ friends, co-workers and family members described to Superior Court Justice Thomas E. Delahanty II how their lives had changed since the crash. Two of Parsons children cried as they told the judge of being awakened on July 5, 2007, to learn of their father’s death, of missing him at Christmas and on their birthdays, of facing a future without his love and support.

“Every day, all day, I think of my dad,” Amy Parsons said, her voice cracking.

At the defense table, Boutin bowed his head and cried.

Family members of Paula Holman spoke, describing the pain and anguish she has gone through. Holman broke her shoulder, neck and back in the crash. She had major surgery to repair the damage and now has three rods and 26 screws in her back and must take medication daily to control the pain. She can no longer work.

Arlene Greenleaf, driver of the ambulance, also spoke of her life after the crash. She requires a walker or crutches to get around. She can’t work and has to take medication to deal with her pain. Her husband, who is nearly 80, has cared for her at the expense of his own health.

“It’s amazing how one poor decision can affect so many lives and leave people wondering why it had to happen at all,” Greenleaf told the judge.

Although at least two dozen people showed to support Boutin and many of his friends and family members wrote letters to the judge, only Boutin’s mother-in-law spoke on his behalf Wednesday. She called him a loving, devoted husband and father who works hard and is known for helping others.

Reading from notes, Boutin offered a short speech on his own behalf. Although he was injured in the crash and has no memory of it, he said he accepts that it was likely his fault.

“I’m very, very sorry for the irreversible harm I’ve caused,” he said.

In his sentencing decision, Delahanty said he considered several factors, including Boutin’s lack of a criminal record. He also said he believed Boutin had accepted responsibility and is remorseful for hurting Holman and Greenleaf and taking Parsons’ life.

“I have no doubt about that,” Delahanty said. “But the fact of the matter is, you have your life.”

Several of Parsons’ friends and family have forgiven Boutin. They said Wednesday they hope Boutin’s years in prison will give him time to reflect and change.

“I know he’ll never be half the man my dad was, but I hope he tries to be,” Amy Parsons said.

Since her father’s death, Amy Parsons has trained to become a paramedic like her father, though she hasn’t been able to bring herself to take the final exam to get her license.

After the sentencing, she decided it was time.

“I will now,” she said. “Now it’s all over.”