A Cloquet man who drove drunk and had an accident that killed a passenger in his vehicle was sentenced Wednesday to 18 months in the Northeast Regional Corrections Center and 10 years of supervised probation as part of a stayed prison sentence.
Jerry John Jubie, 38, pleaded guilty to criminal vehicular operation resulting in death and criminal vehicular operation resulting in substantial bodily harm in the July 29, 2008, accident, which also injured another passenger.
Christopher Hammer, 34, of Esko, died at the scene of the accident on Guss Road in Midway Township. He was ejected when the vehicle left the road and hit a tree. He was not wearing a seatbelt.
The other passenger, Scott Sertich, 39, suffered two fractured ribs, a liver injury and other contusions. He and Jubie were both wearing seat belts. All three men worked for Kolar Cloquet Chevrolet. Jubie worked in sales.
Under terms of a plea agreement reached between the St. Louis County Attorney's Office and defense attorney John Lind, Judge Shaun Floerke formally sentenced Jubie to 69 months with the commissioner of corrections, but that sentence was stayed provided he follows the conditions of his probation.
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Accident reconstructionists determined that Jubie was traveling faster than 60 mph on a curve where the posted speed limit was 25 mph, according to the criminal complaint.
Tests indicated that Jubie had a blood-alcohol concentration of .15, nearly double the legal limit to drive.
As conditions of his probation, Jubie was ordered to use no alcohol or drugs, not enter any liquor establishments or businesses that serve alcohol, and any event he attends where alcohol is served must be approved by an Arrowhead Regional Corrections probation officer.
He must participate in Esko High School's annual DWI program and be available to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving for speaking and aid to their program. According to the court file, Jubie has completed a chemical dependency treatment program.
Floerke ordered Jubie to return to court on July 29 for a review hearing on the second anniversary of Hammer's death.
