Kevin Coffay pleaded guilty to three counts of vehicular manslaughter and one count of leaving the scene of a crash in November.
On Thursday, a judge sentenced him to 20 years in jail.
Prosecutors said that the 20-year-old had been drinking the night in May when he crashed his car in Olney, killing three friends. Police said he fled the scene of the accident, leaving their bodies behind.
Spencer Datt, 18, Haeley McGuire, 18, and Johnny Hoover, 20, all died when Coffay's car smashed into a utility pole and two trees.
Prosecutors said when officers found him three hours after the crash, Coffay's blood alcohol was still twice the legal limit.
Coffay apologized in court on Thursday and expressed a desire to tell his story to others as a cautionary tale.
He faced 40 years in prison for the charges, but he was given 20 instead, with a number of special requirements. After prison, Coffay will be on probation for 5 years. He will be required to have a breath-testing interlock device mounted in his car, which will prevent the car from starting if he is under the influence of alcohol. Coffay will also have to attend meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous.
