CANTON — A Massena was sentenced to 6 to 12 years in state prison Tuesday in St. Lawrence County Court for striking and killing a pedestrian with a minivan. He was driving.

Blakely Houle pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter and second-degree assault in June. Houle admitted he was the driver of a minivan that caused the death of James Hayes, 30, Massena, on May 29, 2021 in Center St., Massena.

St. Lawrence County Court Judge Gregory Storie handed down the sentence.

Houle, 23, was indicted in July 2021 on counts of second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and one count each of first and second-degree assault.

The plea was taken following the completion of the District Attorney's Office's presentation of evidence, after which Houle admitted to recklessly causing the death of James Hayes in Massena on May 29, 2021, said St. Lawrence County District Attorney Gary Pasqua following the guilty plea.

Houle also admitted to recklessly causing serious physical injury to another person by means of a dangerous instrument for the same incident, according to Pasqua.

Houle is a second felony offender based on a prior felony conviction for fourth degree criminal possession of stolen property involving firearms.

A Motion to Vacate the Plea hearing was also held Tuesday with Judge Storie denying that request. Houle was represented by attorney Bradford Riendeau.