Telegraph photo by DEAN SHALHOUP Scott Bourque, who pleaded guilty Thursday to driving under the influence of drugs and causing a crash on Allds Street two years ago, listens to proceeding at his hearing in Superior Court. He was ultimately sentenced to 14 days in jail.

NASHUA – Judge Charles Temple does not believe the Scott Bourque he sentenced Thursday to 14 days in jail – the minimum for a felony offense – is the Scott Bourque who two years ago crashed his car head-on into a truck while driving under the influence of opioid drugs.

Virtually everyone gathered in Temple’s courtroom for Bourque’s plea and sentencing hearing agreed with the judge’s summation that “old Scott Bourque,” the untrustworthy, irresponsible drug-user “is gone,” replaced by a man “by all accounts respected, trusted … a responsible member (and) role model in the recovery community.”

Bourque, 27, of Dracut, Massachusetts, faced up to 12 months in jail as part of the capped-plea agreement on the felony-level charge of aggravated driving while intoxicated, which stemmed from the Dec. 23, 2016 crash on Allds Street near the intersection of Main Street.

The maximum 12-month sentence is what the prosecutor, Assistant County Attorney Lisa Drescher, asked Temple to impose, along with a State Prison term of three and a half to seven years, all suspended for five years, on a second charge of driving after revocation or suspension.

Under the capped-plea agreement, Temple could have imposed anywhere from the 14-day minimum to the entire 12 months. But given the strides Bourque has made since “his wake-up call,” putting him in jail for months “would do nothing but harm you at this point,” Temple said.

Bourque is on the right path, Temple added, “and it’s not my desire to take you off that path.”

Temple’s sentiments lined up with those of Bourque’s attorney, Paul Garrity, who asked Temple “to not warehouse him … having him sit there doing nothing is not productive at all,” he said, referring to Valley Street jail.

But Temple said he also understands the reason Drescher recommended the full 12-month sentence, agreeing with her assessment that Bourque “could have killed yourself, (the other driver), other people.”

The crash “could have had a very different result,” Temple said. “You’re very fortunate this wasn’t a negligent homicide case.”

Three of the roughly 10 people who attended the hearing in support of Bourque addressed the court, one of whom was Gregory Labranche, an addiction counselor who has watched Bourque become a vital member of the recovery community and show interest in facilitating his own group.

Bourque’s mother and sister also spoke, likewise praising their son and brother for devoting himself to recovery.

“I’ve seen Scott at his lowest … two years ago, I wouldn’t have trusted him with my children,” his sister said. “I’ve seen him grow so much … I’ve seen such a big change in him.

“I trust him. I support him. He’s a good guy.”

Bourque’s mother agreed. “Scott’s a very different person over the past couple of years. He’s changed. He’s fun to be around,” she said.

That he “took full responsibility” for the incident, which “you would never have seen several years ago.”

Temple, at the request of Garrity, gave Bourque until 6 p.m. Feb. 1 to report to Valley Street jail to begin his 14-day sentence.

Other terms of the agreement require Bourque to undergo substance use disorder evaluation, and perform 200 hours of community service in the recovery program.

He must surrender his driver’s license for 24 months. Once it is reinstated, he must install an interlock device in any vehicles registered to him or that he uses regularly.

The crash occurred when Bourque’s vehicle crossed into the oncoming lane and struck a pickup truck head-on.

Drescher said Thursday that Bourque was unconscious in his car, and medical personnel administered Narcan to revive him. He was hospitalized with a fractured knee and ankle, she said.

The other driver was also hospitalized with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

Police arrested Bourque after tests detected the presence of opioids in his system.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256, dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com, or @Telegraph_DeanS