ELLSWORTH – A Castine man responsible for an alcohol-fueled crash last spring that killed an Orland man pleaded no contest Thursday in Hancock County Superior Court and was sentenced to 15 months in prison.

Scott Ring, 30, pleaded to a single charge of aggravated criminal operating under the influence, a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

As part of a plea agreement between his attorney, Michael Turndorf, and Deputy District Attorney Carletta Bassano, a more severe charge of manslaughter and lesser charges of reckless conduct and driving to endanger were dismissed.

Ring spoke briefly in court Thursday morning, addressing family members of Robert Florence, 53, who died in the March 2007 crash on Route 175 in Orland. Ring apologized solemnly for his actions and said he has taken responsibility for what happened.

Florence’s sister and other family members also spoke in court, mostly questioning the senselessness of Ring’s actions.

The sentence, handed down by Justice Kevin Cuddy, was seven years with all but 15 months suspended, followed by three years of probation. His license also was suspended for 10 years.

Ring was headed north on Route 175 toward Route 1 at about 1 p.m. on a Monday afternoon when he crossed the centerline and struck a truck driven by Florence. Both Florence’s 1998 Ford pickup and Ring’s 1994 Dodge pickup were demolished.

The head-on collision killed Florence instantly, but Ring suffered only minor injuries.

Investigators suspected that Ring was driving while intoxicated and, as is the case with any fatal crash, he was asked to submit to a blood-alcohol test, which came back positive.

Ring first was arrested on a charge of OUI. After the District Attorney’s Office reviewed the case, he was charged with manslaughter.

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