Michael Carpenter Sentenced To Two Years In Jail For Bike Crash In May

The man who drove a pickup and hit a cyclist in May was sentenced to two years in jail on Monday.

Michael Allen Carpenter, who was 25 when arrested, pleaded guilty Monday to leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, reckless driving, and driving while under suspension. All charges were misdemeanors.

Natrona County Circuit Court Judge Brian Christensen sentenced Carpenter to one year imprisonment for leaving the scene of an accident, six months for reckless driving, and six months for driving while under suspension.

The sentences are to be served consecutively -- one after the other, and will be served concurrently -- at the same time -- with jail for another crime. After one year imprisonment, Carpenter could be furloughed to a residential treatment program.

Upon release and successful completion of a residential treatment program, he will serve two years of supervised probation.

Carpenter also must pay $5,000 in restitution to the victim of the accident.

The case started May 29 when Carpenter was driving a pickup and struck the cyclist at North Beverly and Yellowstone streets. He then ran away, according to court records.

He protested his innocence on his Facebook page and blamed the two female passengers in the pickup who said he was the driver.

He was taken into custody two weeks later for shoplifting and trespassing at the east-side Walmart. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of shoplifting, criminal trespass, use of a controlled substance and battery. He was sentenced to two years in jail.