Mass. man pleads guilty in drunken driving death

BROCKTON, Mass. (AP) - A 21-year-old Massachusetts man has been sentenced to prison for a drunken driving crash last year that killed a retired teacher.

Zachary Lemmo of Middleborough pleaded guilty to manslaughter by motor vehicle Tuesday in Brockton Superior Court. He was sentenced to six to eight years.

Lemmo acknowledged smoking marijuana and drinking before the March 9 crash that killed 61-year-old James Braga, a retired Middleborough High School teacher and soccer coach.

Prosecutors said Lemmo was driving 84 mph when he struck Braga's car, and had a blood alcohol level of .117 percent, above the legal .08 limit.

Braga's wife, two of their three sons, and a niece spoke in court before the sentencing, calling him a loving man with close family relationships.

Lemmo's attorney had asked for a five-year sentence. Prosecutors wanted eight to 12 years.

Cox Media Group