AUBURN — A Turner man is facing up to four years in prison after pleading guilty Friday to charges stemming from an intentional hit-and-run that nearly cost the victim his foot.
Joseph P. Dehetre, 30, of 89 East Hebron Road pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and leaving the scene of an accident, both felonies.
The plea is a negotiated agreement that came on the heels of a two-day trial, before the jury began deliberations. Two of the 14 jurors had been excused and a third was about to be dismissed when the plea deal was reached.
The sentence was capped at eight years in prison, with all but four years suspended, plus three years of probation. The defense is allowed to argue for a shorter sentence.
Had no cap been reached, Dehetre would have faced a sentence of up to 15 years in prison on the two charges.
Four other charges, including elevated aggravated assault would be dismissed. On that charge alone, Dehetre could have served up to 30 years in prison, had he been found guilty at trial.
Assistant District Attorney Andrew Matulis said doctors nearly amputated the foot of the victim, Bret Martel of Auburn, after the July 2012 incident in which Dehetre ran over then-28-year-old Martel with a car near the intersection of Parker and Summer streets.
A witness said Dehetre, the driver of the 1992 Honda, had been arguing with Martel in the moments leading up to the crash.
The witness said Dehetre tried twice to run down Martel without success. He tried one more time and ran down Martel in the roadway. With the victim down in the street, Dehetre drove away, according to the witness.
Police said the two men had argued before the assault.
Dehetre was arrested a short time later at a home in Minot.
Martel was taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston where he was treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police said.
Martel is able to walk, Matulis said. “It’s a very miraculous recovery.”
cwilliams@sunjournal.com
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- Joseph Dehetre
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