NEWPORT — The driver during a fatal crash in West Charleston that took the lives of two Orleans County residents back in 2016, has been sentenced.
Earlier in the year Joshua Cole pleaded guilty to charges of manslaughter and gross negligent operation, and last week was sentenced to serve eight to 15 years behind bars.
Back in May of 2016, Cole was driving a 1994 Honda Prelude in the town of West Charleston when he lost control while exiting a sharp corner.
The vehicle traveled off the north side of the road, where it struck a large tree.
Three passengers in the Honda at the time were all ejected from the vehicle.
Esperanza Robles, 29, of Derby Line, and Ryan Coulter, 26, of Newport, were killed during the crash.
Amanda Letourneau, of East Charleston, suffered head and leg injuries.
Investigators said that speed and alcohol were both factors in the crash.
While facing manslaughter charges, Cole was arrested in Holland back in August of 2017, after police said he was driving an ATV and almost ran into a car on Gore Road.
After the new charges, a judge ordered that he be held without bail pending the trial in this manslaughter case.
