Man Gets 10 Years for Drunk-Driving Fatality
A Santa Clarita man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for manslaughter in a January drunk driving accident that claimed the life of a Saugus High School student.
James Michael Bent, 30, who had two prior convictions for driving while under the influence, had open beer bottles in his sports utility vehicle at the time of the accident, investigators said.
He received the maximum sentence Tuesday from North Valley Superior Court Judge Meredith Taylor.
Saugus High School senior Lauren Blaire, 18, was driving home about 1:45 a.m. on Jan. 11 when Bent drove his vehicle through a red light and collided with hers at the intersection of Bouquet Canyon and Plum Canyon roads.
An hour after the accident, Bent’s blood-alcohol level was measured at O.18%, more than twice the legal limit, Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
