HARVEY BENNETT JR.

IRON MOUNTAIN — A 64-year-old Norway man arrested after a seven-car collision on U.S. 2 in September will spend a minimum of five years in prison.

Harvey Bennett Jr. was sentenced Tuesday in Dickinson County Circuit Court to as many as 20 years for the delivery or manufacture of methamphetamine, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison; and operating while intoxicated, third offense, a five-year felony.

Defense attorney Greg Seibold characterized Bennett as a “small-time user” whose last felony conviction was more than 25 years before his arrest in 2019.

Seibold noted Bennett did have misdemeanor convictions in 2005 and 2011, effectively bridging any gaps in his criminal history, but asked that Dickinson County Circuit Judge Mary Barglind consider a minimum sentence of between three and four years rather than the six-year recommendation in the pre-sentence investigation report.

Dickinson County Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Richards agreed Bennett’s felony history was more than two decades in the past and said her willingness to dismiss a habitual offender notice against him was based on that hiatus.

However, the recommended sentence was appropriate, Richards said.

“Mr. Bennett was in possession of a large quantity of methamphetamine that was clearly packaged and intended for resale,” Richards said. “Moreover, he was operating a vehicle during midday traffic under the influence of methamphetamine.”

Bennett apologized and said he was thankful no one was injured as a result of the collision.

“I hit a very low point, I made a very bad choice, and I’m here,” Bennett said.

Bennett initially had denied a bag of methamphetamine found after the crash belonged to him but relented when pressed by Barglind.

“There’s step one on the road to recovery, Mr. Bennett. Step one,” Barglind said. “You have a long ways to go.”

According to the criminal complaint, Bennett triggered the multi-vehicle crash on U.S. 2 Sept. 25, then left the site and went inside a nearby business, where he reportedly hid a bag and metal container before returning to the crash. Bennett later was arrested after appearing to be intoxicated.

A warranted search of the bag and container reportedly turned up methamphetamine and items used to package controlled substances for sale. He also had more than $4,000 in cash on him, the complaint stated.

According to an earlier news release from Deputy Director of Police Services Joseph Dumais, Bennett was northbound in a pickup truck on Stephenson Avenue when he crossed into the left turn lane for H Street, sideswiping two cars and rear-ending an SUV. The collision sent the SUV into three other vehicles waiting at the light.

In addition to delivery or manufacture of methamphetamine and operating while intoxicated, Bennett also was charged with possession of methamphetamine, a 10-year felony; and as a four-time habitual offender, which would have increased the maximum penalty to life in prison.

In exchange for Bennett’s guilty plea Dec. 16, Richards agreed to dismiss the possession charge and habitual offender-fourth offense notice.