A Colorado man has been sentenced to a six-year prison term for a 2017 crash in Wisconsin that left his two passengers with serious injuries. The 28-year-old man will also have four years of supervision after he finishes his term and be required to pay restitution of nearly $19,000 to one of the victims of the crash.

The man, who is from Loveland, was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol, cocaine and marijuana in the early morning hours of Aug. 13, 2017. He was also driving at least 20 mph above the posted speed limit and looking at his cellphone when his vehicle left the road, hit a utility pole and flipped over.

His passengers, a 20-year-old man who is also from Loveland and a 45-year-old Minnesota man were both hospitalized. The older man had to be extricated from the car. At the time, his injuries were considered life-threatening. The younger passenger’s injuries were described as serious. The driver suffered only minor injuries.

The three men had all been working at a nearby carnival. They were getting something to eat when the crash occurred.

When we get in a car with someone, we’re entrusting our safety and our lives to them. If someone is under the influence, speeding and/or engaging in distracted driving, they’re putting us at risk possibly even more than people in other vehicles on the road.

If you or a loved one has been injured while riding in a car with a driver whose actions or negligence cause a crash, it’s wise to explore your options for taking civil legal action. Whether the driver faces criminal charges, you have a right to seek compensation to cover your medical expenses, lost wages and damages.