DELHI, N.Y. — A Downsville man was sentenced to six months in Delaware County jail after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated and vehicular manslaughter in connection with a 2025 crash that led to the death of an East Branch volunteer firefighter.

Joseph Bellows Jr., 55, was sentenced Tuesday in Delaware County Court by Judge John L. Hubbard. In addition to the six-month jail term, Bellows was sentenced to five years of probation, according to WIVT/WBGH.

Bellows pleaded guilty July 28 to driving while intoxicated, an unclassified misdemeanor, and vehicular manslaughter in the second degree, a Class D felony.

The charges stem from a July 17, 2025, crash on State Route 30 in the Town of Hancock. Bellows was driving a GMC pickup truck while intoxicated when the vehicle left the roadway and struck an electric pole.

The crash caused the pole to break and live electrical wires to fall near the roadway. Bellows was trapped in his vehicle.

Jason T. McGlone, an assistant chief with the East Branch Fire Department, responded to the crash. McGlone was electrocuted by a live electrical wire and died at the scene despite efforts by emergency medical personnel to save him. He was 51.

During his July guilty plea, Bellows admitted under oath that he was driving while intoxicated by alcohol and that his operation of the vehicle caused McGlone’s death.

The case was litigated in Delaware County Court for nearly 10 months. A central issue was whether prosecutors had presented legally sufficient evidence to establish that Bellows was criminally responsible for McGlone’s death. The court ultimately ruled that prosecutors had presented sufficient evidence on the issue of causation.

Before sentencing, District Attorney Shawn Smith sought a prison sentence of 2 1/3 to 7 years. Smith said Bellows had four prior convictions for drinking and driving, along with other criminal history, according to WIVT/WBGH.

Bellows’ attorney, Kevin O’Brien, argued for probation in addition to jail time, saying that would provide Bellows with access to services to address his drinking.

Bellows apologized to McGlone’s family in court and expressed remorse, according to the report.

McGlone’s daughter, Addie McGlone, gave a victim-impact statement describing the effect of her father’s death on the family. She said she had taken time away from college and that her mother’s life also had been significantly affected.

Members of the East Branch Fire Department attended the sentencing.

Fire Chief Rod Keesler told WIVT/WBGH that the department had expected a longer sentence, describing McGlone’s death as a loss for his wife, children, fellow firefighters and friends.

District Attorney Smith previously credited New York State Police Investigator Jamie Cuff and Senior Investigator William Baumgartner with conducting a thorough investigation into the case.

Smith said the conviction could not replace McGlone but expressed hope that it would provide his family with some comfort that Bellows had been held accountable.

Bellows pleaded guilty without an agreement regarding his sentence, leaving sentencing to the discretion of Judge Hubbard.