BANGOR, Maine — A Bangor man was indicted Wednesday on manslaughter and aggravated operating under the influence of intoxicants charges by the Penobscot County grand jury in connection with a June crash that claimed the life of a 20-year-old Hermon man.
Keith Austin, 23, is accused of having a blood alcohol level of 0.21 percent, nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08 for operating a vehicle, on June 18. He allegedly was driving about 9 p.m. when the single-vehicle crash occurred on Annis Road in Hermon.
An arraignment date has not been set.
Nick Frenette, a passenger in the vehicle, later died of his injuries, according to a previously published report. Austin and Sarah Hawkins, 20, of Hermon also were injured in the accident.
Austin made his first court appearance on July 20. Bail was set at $20,000 cash or $50,000 surety.
Austin was released later that day from the Penobscot County Jail after $20,000 in cash was posted as bail, according to jail personnel.
If convicted, Austin faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up $50,000 on the manslaughter charge and up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000 on the drunken driving charge. He also could lose his driver’s license for at least six years.