NORWICH – After causing the death of his girlfriend and injuring two friends in a one-car drunk driving accident, Ryan V. Lewis, 23, Afton, pleaded guilty to the class E felony of vehicular assault in the third degree and the class A misdemeanor of driving while intoxicated on Nov. 22 of last year.

Lewis appeared in Chenango County Court on Nov. 7 before Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr. after completing one year of interim probation.

In 2013, Lewis was sentenced to one year of concurrent interim probation for both charges against him. He was told he could be sentenced up to “anything” if he did not comply with probation.

If he did successfully complete probation, his plea of guilty to the felony charge would be withdrawn and he would only be left with the misdemeanor. Since he completed interim probation, he is facing probation for the misdemeanor charge and up to 60 days of jail time.

“This case was a tragedy for the victims. The defendant hit black ice and as a result of drinking got into an accident that caused his girlfriend to be deceased and his two friends hurt,” said District Attorney Joseph A. McBride. “The victim's family were torn by the loss of their child and their concern for the defendant.”