NILES — Prison sentences were handed down Monday in Berrien County Trial Court to two men who drove drunk as well as a man who fled from police and crashed into another motorist.

Scott Clifford Moulton, 65, of CR 687 in Dowagiac, pleaded guilty to third offense drunk driving and was sentenced to 16 months to five years in prison. He has credit for 65 days already served and must pay $198 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred March 29 at 11th and Main Streets in Niles. His blood alcohol level at the scene was .273, more than three times the legal limit.

Moulton, a lifelong farmer as well an aviation engine mechanic, said he was thankful no one was injured in the incident. He described himself as a hardworking man who has stayed sober for years at a time.

“It’s terrifying to me that I can’t remember what happened that day,” he said. “Thank God no one was hurt.”

Judge LaSata noted that Moulton had 37 prior criminal convictions, including 14 for drunk driving, two for weapons and one for assault and battery last year.

Andrew Joseph Walker, 23, of North 12th Street in Niles, pleaded guilty to third degree fleeing police and was sentenced to 24 months to five years in prison. He has no credit for time served as he was on parole at the time of the incident. He must pay $198 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred June 1 when Niles police tried to stop Walker at Fifth and Sycamore Streets in downtown Niles. Walker fled from police and led them on a nearly 8-mile chase on M-139 North. Walker ended up crossing the center line and crashing head on into another vehicle in Berrien Township.

“This is totally tragic,” said Assistant Prosecutor Gerald Vigansky. “He almost cost the life of another person. Her life is totally changed. She had a life of vibrant independence and her life will never be the same.”

Berrien County Trial Judge Charles LaSata noted that the driver of the other car, a 72-year-old woman from Mishawaka, is still recovering from the injuries she sustained in the crash and had to spend time in a nursing home/rehabilitation center.

Walker said he took full responsibility for his actions and said he deserved whatever sentence Judge LaSata imposed.

LaSata called it an “unbelievable situation” where Walker drove 45 miles per hour in a 15 mile an hour zone in the city and then reached speeds of 110 miles per hour or more on the highway.

”You don’t deserve to live among working, caring people,” he said.

Walker also received a two-day jail sentence for use of meth in the same incident.

His prison sentence will be consecutive to any sentence he receives for violating his parole from 2015 carrying a concealed weapon and delivery/manufacture of marijuana sentences.

Kevin Darnell Reed, 49, of N. Fifth Street in Niles, pleaded guilty to third offense drunk driving and was sentenced to 12 months to five years in prison with credit for 23 days already served. He must pay $198 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred June 1 in Bertrand Township when his car was found stopped in the roadway on U.S. 12 near Portage Road and he was semi-conscious. His blood alcohol level was .37, more than four times the legal limit.

Defense attorney Scott Sanford said Reed has maintained steady employment since he got out of federal prison in 2010 although he has suffered from depression and other mental health issues.

Judge LaSata noted the high level of Reed’s blood alcohol content.

“Anyone else would be in a coma and unconscious,” he said. “You pose an extreme danger to the public