A man was sentenced this week to 15 months in prison for driving drunk, hitting a pedestrian and leaving the scene.
A jury convicted David Mackenzie, 52, of Holden on Aug. 28 of aggravated operating under the influence, aggravated assault, leaving the scene of an accident causing serious bodily injury or death and operating under the influence.
Mackenzie drank 12 22-ounce Michelob Ultra beers in about six hours at High Tide Restaurant and Bar on July 15, 2023. He then drove home, hitting then-87-year-old Ira Williams of Brewer on Eastern Avenue around 8:39 p.m. The crash left Williams with lasting injuries.
Mackenzie was sentenced Tuesday to six years in prison with all but 15 months suspended, Penobscot County Deputy District Attorney Mark Rucci said. Mackenzie will then have three years of probation.
Part of his probation conditions include not returning to High Tide and not drinking alcohol. He must also pay a $2,100 fine.
Mackenzie’s driver’s license is suspended for six years.
Williams was crossing the road at dusk when Mackenzie hit him. Mackenzie stopped for about 60 seconds, didn’t realize he hit a person and then drove away, his defense attorney Hunter Tzovarras said during the trial.