A man will face eight and a half years in prison after pleading no contest to aggravated involuntary manslaughter and drunk driving charges.

The 34-year-old man was involved in an accident in August 2010. According to witnesses, the man tried to pass another vehicle when he flipped his Ford Explorer. The vehicle flew almost 50 feet before hitting a woman who was walking home after visiting relatives. The woman was killed as a result of the accident.

The 34-year-old driver suffered a brain injury when he was thrown from his vehicle during the accident.

The driver has been in trouble with the law before. He was convicted of DUI on two previous occasions. He was also convicted of public intoxication on three separate occasions.

For the latest charges of aggravated involuntary manslaughter and DUI, the 34-year-old man could have faced as many as 25 years behind bars. However, he will only serve a portion of that. In addition, he can never again operate a vehicle, and has to pay a $1,000 fine.

The man also could have faced additional time behind bars for second-degree murder charges. However, those charges were dropped as a result of his plea agreement.

The man has shown remorse for his actions. During his sentencing he asked the family of the woman that was killed in the accident to forgive him.

Since the crash, the man has passed twice-weekly drug and alcohol testing.

The man in this case made a terrible mistake, and he will now face the consequences. However, the man and his family likely feel fortunate that he was able to receive a reduced sentence.

Source: The Roanoke Times, "Roanoke drunken driver gets 8 ½ years in woman's death," Neil Harvey, Jan. 11, 2012