Prison For Hyannis Man After 4th DUI

FALL RIVER, MA — A Hyannis man was sentenced to 3-4 years in prison after his fourth drunk-driving arrest, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn announced Monday. Benjamin Carpenter, 43, was over twice the legal alcohol limit when he was clocked at 120 mph on Interstate 195 in New Bedford on March 19, 2016, police said. Carpenter also had a bag of fentanyl with him, police added. Carpenter's driver's license was revoked at the time of his arrest and his criminal history also included a fentanyl possession with intent to distribute.

“The defendant engaged in extremely ‘outrageous’ operation of a motor vehicle while highly intoxicated that put the lives and safety of the public at risk,” Bristol District Attorney Quinn said. “The defendant has prior drunken driving convictions that justify the state prison sentence to both punish him and protect the public. In addition, he was in possession of the very dangerous drug, Fentanyl.”

Carpenter pleaded guilty to operating under the influence of alcohol (fourth offense), fentanyl possession with intent to distribute (subsequent offense), negligent driving and driving with a revoked license.

Carpenter was also sentenced to 2 years probation.

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