ALFRED — A Biddeford man who is charged with manslaughter in a collision that led to one death pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in York County Superior Court on Friday.
David P. Labonte, 56, of 41 Cathedral Oaks Drive, is charged with manslaughter in relation to a crash that occurred on Aug. 2.
On Aug. 7, Jamerico Elliott, 52, of Biddeford, died as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.
Several of the defendant’s family members were in court on Friday. Only his daughter, Roxy Labonte, made a brief comment to the Journal Tribune after the arraignment.
“He’s not a bad guy,” she said about her father. “He just made a bad choice.”
In addition to manslaughter, Labonte, who was dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit, pleaded not guilty to 11 other charges in relation to the incident. He was indicted on the charges earlier this month by the York County Grand Jury.
Labonte is charged with three counts of aggravated criminal operating under the influence of intoxicants, two counts of aggravated assault, three counts of reckless conduct, two counts of aggravated criminal mischief and one count of assault.
If found guilty of manslaughter, Labonte could serve up to 30 years in prison ”“ and more if he is found guilty of the other charges and sentenced to serve his time consecutively. Labonte could also face the permanent forfeiture of his license if convicted of manslaughter, although, 10 years after his release, he could request reinstatement of his license.
The August collison occurred around 6 p.m. on Elm Street, according to Biddeford Police.
According to court documents, Labonte was driving northbound in a 2005 Ford Explorer pickup truck, he crossed the center line and struck Elliott, Elliott’s now 20-month-old son Lavrice Elliott and the boy’s mother, Melodie Brennan, 30, who were all traveling southbound. Jamerico Elliott and Brennan were riding bicycles, and the boy was in a seat attached to his father’s bike.
After striking the bicyclists, Labonte continued driving. He next hit a parked pickup truck; the impact forced both vehicles into the residence at 360 Elm St., which sustained some damage, according to police reports.
According to court documents, one witness said Labonte appeared to have fallen asleep at the wheel while another said he didn’t appear to make any attempts to avoid the collisions.
After the accident, Brennan was treated and released, but father and son were brought to Maine Medical Center in Portland suffering from critical injuries.
Alcohol is believed to have been a prime factor in the accident, police say. According to an affidavit filed with the court, lab tests showed that Labonte’s blood alcohol level was about twice the legal limit on the night of the accident.
Labonte, who has a history of OUI convictions, was driving on a conditional license that prohibited him from having any alcohol in his system while driving.
Labonte is being held at the York County Jail in Alfred on $100,000 personal cash bail.
— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.
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