NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. (AP) -- A Tampa Bay area man has been
sentenced to 12 years in prison for causing a DUI crash that killed
three people on Christmas Day 2007.

As part of a deal with prosecutors, 37-year-old David Belniak pleaded guilty Tuesday to DUI manslaughter and other charges.

Authorities say Belniak had alcohol, Xanax and evidence of cocaine in his system when he crashed his pickup into the back of a Chevrolet Tahoe at a high speed in Pasco County, north of Tampa. Killed were Denise and Gerard Bassi, who were visiting from
Connecticut, and Denise's mother, Linda McWilliams. All were passengers in the Tahoe.

Belniak could have faced life in prison if convicted at trial. He'll serve 10 years of probation after he gets out of prison.