LOUDON, N.H. (AP) — A New Hampshire man who pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in the death of a passenger in his car will not serve his sentence at a state prison, officials said.
The New Hampshire Department of Corrections authorized Tyler Dempsey, 23, of Loudon, to serve his two- to six-year sentence at the Merrimack County Jail, the Concord Monitor reported on Thursday.
Dempsey admitted in court on Dec. 16 to causing the high-speed rollover crash that killed his longtime friend and roommate Ryan Christie. Dempsey, Christie and another passenger had gone out for drinks and were on their way home when the crash occurred, according to state police.
“It is difficult to express and articulate the significance Ryan had in my life, and the great void that’s been left in his wake,” Dempsey said. “I’m committed to serve the time that’s deemed necessary with the hope to sometime reenter the world.”
Attorneys on both sides agreed that prison was not the appropriate punishment because of Dempsey’s genuine remorse and his decision to go to jail prior to his sentencing.
Dempsey worked as a part-time firefighter and EMT. He was placed on administrative leave immediately following his arrest and then resigned from his post in October, said Loudon Fire Chief Tom Blanchette.
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