Rochester man indicted on three aggravated DWIs in July crash on Betts Road

First responders at the scene of July 13 accident on Betts Road; inset Michael Gilfert;. (Rochester Police photos)

DOVER - A Rochester man is facing more than 20 years in state prison after his indictments on three aggravated drunken driving charges in connection with a dramatic July crash on Betts Road in which both he and his passenger were seriously injured and a pedestrian was nearly struck, too.

Michael Gilfert, 57, of 39 Joshua St., stands formally charged with three Class B felonies, which can each carry up to seven years prison time.

The three charges allege Gilfert was under the influence when he caused the accident, which resulted in serious injuries to an unnamed 58-year-old female who was a passenger in his vehicle.

According to the indictment, the woman suffered multiple injuries, including fractures to her ribs, left arm and pelvis.

Alcohol and speed were both blamed in the July 13 crash in the area of 76 Betts Road.

The accident occurred around 6:50 p.m. when police said it was determined a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am driven by Gilfert lost control while traveling westbound, almost hit a pedestrian and narrowly missed a utility pole before striking a boulder embedded in the ground and came to rest near a barn on property at 76 Betts Road.

Gilfert was unconscious and unresponsive with head and other injuries, while his female passenger was awake and alert but had sustained multiple serious injuries.

The Strafford County February indictments were handed down on Thursday and released today.

An indictment is not an indication of guilt, rather than enough evidence has been gathered to warrant a trial.