STEUBENVILLE — The Brilliant resident who slammed into three motorcyclists on a charity ride will spend at least six years in prison.

Joseph W. Boyer Jr., 512 Ridgeview Ave., was sentenced by Jefferson County Common Pleas Judge Michele Miller to two- to three-years behind bars on each of three counts of aggravated vehicular assault. Two of the three victims had suffered what prosecutors describe as “profound injuries” and had to be flown by medical helicopter for treatment, while the third motorcyclist “got out of the way but still suffered substantial injuries.”

Miller told Boyer he would serve the sentences consecutively–meaning the earliest he can get out will be 2031 with good behavior.

Prosecutor Jane Hanlin said motorcyclists — friends of the three victims — filled the courtroom on sentencing day.

“One of the most tragic things about this case is that these motorcycle riders were on a ride to raise money for the families of other riders who had been hurt or killed while riding,” she said. “This defendant was high and crashed into that group of cyclists. All three are still struggling to recover from their injuries. The only bright spot was seeing how the cycling community came together to support their fellow riders — that was truly special.”

She said Boyer had been smoking marijuana.

In addition to his prison time, Boyer will be under a lifetime weapons disability and his driver’s license was suspended for six years.