An actor of TV series Prison Break was sentenced on Wednesday to three years and four months in prison for a drunken-driving crash that killed a 17-year-old student last December.

Lane Garrison pleaded guilty in May to vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence and driving under the influence causing injury. He has been jailed since he was ordered three months later to undergo a psychological evaluation by California state prison officials.

The 27-year-old actor also pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of providing alcohol to a minor and admitted an allegation of having a higher blood-alcohol level. Police said Garrison had a blood-alcohol content of .20 -- more than twice the legal limit -- and was under the influence of cocaine at the time of the crash.

Beverly Hills Superior Court Judge Elden Fox could have sentenced Garrison to as much as six years and eight months in prison.

The charges stemmed from the death of a 17-year-old Beverly Hills High School student, who was a passenger in the 2001 Land Rover Garrison was driving when it struck a tree in Beverly Hills last December.

A group of parents, teachers, students and area residents gathered petitions with more than 3,600 signatures calling on the judge to impose the maximum state prison term.

Garrison apologized to the victim's family at his last court appearance in August.

In a recently filmed public service announcement, a teary-eyed Garrison said his life "changed forever" on the day of the crash and implored viewers not to drink and drive.

On Fox TV's popular drama series Prison Break, Garrison played the character Tweener, who was killed off in an October 2006 episode. He was also part of the Paramount film Shooter, which was released earlier this year.
 
(CRI.cn November 1, 2007)