A Florida man has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty in Lowndes County to aggravated driving under the influence.
Vernon Tarkowski, 53, of Panama City, was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison, as well as alcohol and drug treatment to be determined by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, according to District Attorney Scott Colom. The court will retain jurisdiction over the sentence for one year, Colom said.
“The District Attorney is happy to have the case resolved and accepts the court’s sentence,” Colom said.
He added that he hopes the sentencing sends a signal to the public that the District Attorney’s office and the court will not tolerate drinking and driving.
Tarkowski faced the aggravated DUI since an accident in February 2012 on Highway 373 when he hit a car head on and injured two people.
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