Rhode Island Man Gets 8 Years in DUI Death

A Richmond, Rhode Island, man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in a drunken driving crash that took the life of a close friend.

Zachary Thole pleaded no contest Monday to a charge of drunken driving resulting in death for the November 2013 rollover that killed 20-year-old Nicholas Gershkoff.

Authorities say the now 21-year-old Thole and his friend had been drinking at an Exeter pub. Thole’s pickup truck crashed and rolled over on Hillsdale Road in Richmond, pinning Gershkoff under the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Westerly Sun reports that Thole also lost his license for five years, was fined $5,000, and sentenced to 50 hours of community service.

Thole had been charged with drunken driving on two prior occasions.