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MISSOULA - A judge sentenced a Missoula man to five years in prison for driving drunk and killing his friend last October. The judge told Daniel Rogers what happened to him, could happen to anyone who decides to drink and drive.

"There's a lot of risk, a lot of loss that can happen in these cases. It can be so impactful that it results in the driver going to prison," said Judge John Larson, Missoula District Court.

Rogers is heading to the Montana State Prison for killing his friend, David Mischock of Washington last October. Rogers' blood alcohol content measured at nearly three times the legal limit, when he crashed through a park on Orange Street.

Mischock suffered fatal injuries when a park sign came through the windshield and struck him in the face.

"There does have to be some level of accountability for the whole community, because as you've noted, this case is about him and he's gone. He has no chance to come back. He has no chance to contribute. He has no chance to offer anything more. Without reason, without any kind of opportunity, he was just gone," said Judge Larson, as he spoke to Rogers.

When given the chance to speak, Rogers told the judge he will make a change in his life and hopes to change the lives of others as well.

"I feel it's fitting that since I was part of the problem, that I also be a part of the solution. Maybe people will think twice before they drink and drive, because this could happen to anyone," says Daniel Rogers, Defendant.

"Not everything will be taken from you, but a significant amount of your freedom is lost today. It doesn't even get within a universe of what's happened to that individual, but it's the strongest component that this system can utilize to convey how serious that loss is," Judge Larson said.

Rogers will not be eligible for parole until he serves at least two years in prison.