Notus man sentenced to up to 20 years for vehicular manslaughter

However, Spook Clifford Meras may only serve 6 to 18 months for a 2014 crash that killed two people and injured two children, according to court documents.

Meras, 27, was driving on U.S. 20 near Purple Sage Road in May 2014 when he crossed the center line and struck a vehicle driven by Eloy Montoya, 74. Montoya and his wife, Tillie, also 74, both died at a local hospital. The two children who were in their vehicle were injured. Meras had been under the influence of intoxicants.

Meras pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular manslaughter on Jan. 12. Tuesday, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison, serving at least 10 before he’s eligible for parole.

But the judge in the case retained jurisdiction, putting Meras into a prison-based treatment program that if he successfully completes, could lead to his release even earlier. If Meras is released in the next year and a half, any subsequent violation could still put him back in prison, said Canyon County spokesman Joe Decker.

This story was originally published March 17, 2016 at 7:10 AM with the headline "Notus man sentenced to up to 20 years for vehicular manslaughter."