A Longmont man accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to three years in prison with 844 days of credit for time served Monday for killing Erik Shephard while driving on U.S. 36 in North Boulder in 2022.

David Blattner, 53, pleaded guilty to one count of vehicular homicide — reckless driving.

All other counts including reckless driving, driving on the wrong side of a highway and driving under restraint were dismissed.

Blattner will be on mandatory parole for three years following the completion of his prison sentence, according to Boulder County District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Shannon Carbone.

The sentencing range for vehicular homicide — reckless driving is probation-to-six-years.

“Given the sentencing range and the circumstances in this case, our office believes this resolution is appropriate and just,” Carbone wrote in an email. “We worked closely with the victim’s family members; they agreed with the guilty plea and sentence. They provided powerful, moving statements to the Court yesterday. It was our honor to fight for justice for the victim and his loving family.”

According to an affidavit, on Jan. 20, 2022, Blattner was driving an Audi A4 west on U.S. 36 just north of Boulder at the 32 mile-marker when he crossed the center line and struck Shepard’s Honda head on.

Emergency workers and witnesses who stopped at the crash told police Blattner appeared to be intoxicated, and investigators found seven empty alcohol shooters in his car.

According to the affidavit, Blattner told investigators he was reaching down for a lighter and did not see the other vehicle.

Blatter said he had done methamphetamine a few days before the crash, and that it sometimes impacts his driving ability. He could not remember if he had been drinking.

According to the affidavit, a toxicology report found trace levels of methamphetamine and THC in his system, but no alcohol.