ALFRED — A 26-year-old Limerick woman who recently pled guilty to manslaughter in connection with the hit-and-run death of motorcyclist Alan Morin in Sanford last July was sentenced Tueday to four and one-half years in prison. 

As well, if an evaluation toward the end of her sentence recommends it, Kimberly Gignac will undergo six months in a residential substance abuse program. She was also sentenced to four years probation.

Gignac changed her plea to guilty to manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident last month, but York County Superior Court Justice G. Arthur Brennan rejected a sentencing agreement.

Assistant district attorney Thad West and defense counsel Joel Vincent had agreed to a plan that would have seen Gignac spend three years of a 10-year sentence in prison, followed by four years probation.

During the May 28 hearing, Brennan said he agreed with the underlying 10 year sentence, but not with three years incarceration. Instead, Brennan gave Gignac a choice: Five years in prison or the chance to withdraw her guilty plea and go to trial.

On Tuesday Gignac elected to proceed with sentencing.

“I respect your decision for leaving the pleas the way they are,” Brennan said to Gignac. “This is a case that could have gone to trial. It says something for you to accept responsibility.”

Gignac was arrested the day after the July 10 crash that killed Morin, of Steep Falls, at the intersection of Route 202 and Grammar Road in Sanford. By pleading guilty, Gignac admitted that she struck Morin’s motorcycle and simply drove away. Morin and his bike skidded 60 feet before coming to rest in the road. He later died in the hospital.

Gignac allegedly told police she was reaching for her ringing cellphone when she struck Morin, and said she didn’t stop because she was afraid of what she would see. She was arrested by Sanford Police at a friend’s home July 11.

During the May 28 hearing West said Gignac’s friends told him they’d spoke to her before the crash and she said she’d been drinking and apparently admitted she was under the influence of a prescription drug. West said the drug’s side effects include an effect on driving, particularly if combined with alcohol.

Gignac’s record includes seven suspensions, three convictions of operating while suspended, driving to endanger and driving while an habitual offender. She had been arrested in May 2008 on a drunk driving charge but she requested a hearing, which stayed an automatic suspension. Five days before the hearing, she struck the motorcycle and Morin died.

As well, she had been charged with a felony count of criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and misdemeanor counts of violating bail conditions and domestic violence assault stemming from incidents in Limerick that allegedly took place the month before the crash.

Morin’s widow, Julie Morin, said she feels good about the sentence and hopes Gignac will mend her ways.

“I hope the light went on with her. I hope she does turn her life around. It won’t bring Alan back but if something good comes out of it ”¦,” she said to reporters following the hearing.

Brennan told Gignac that there are more programs in prison for women inmates than men and encouraged her to take advantage of a program if there is one available.

“I definitely will,” said Gignac.

Brennan said he had met with both West and Vincent since the May 28 hearing and agreed that Gignac’s substance abuse issues should be addressed. He said a residential rehabilitation program at the end of her sentence would be a benefit to both Gignac and public safety.

Condition of her probation include that she not operate a motor vehicle, have no contact with the Morin family, not possess or consume alcohol or illegal drugs and undergo testing and searches for both, and undergo residential substance abuse treatment if it is recommended. As well, she is to pursue psychological counseling and take prescribed medications.

Gignac, who has been in jail since her arrest, will receive credit for time served.

As she was led to the transport van that will  ferry her to prison, Gignac responded  “I’m OK,” when asked by reporters.

And will she straighten her life out?

“Yes,” she said as the door closed and the van drove away.

— Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 or twells@journaltribune.com.