A Bennington County man has been sentenced to nine to 15 years in prison for leaving the scene of a drunken driving crash and causing his 2-year-old son to drown in a brook.

Darel Galorenzo, of Readsboro, Vermont, pleaded guilty in Berkshire Superior Court Monday to manslaughter, operating under the influence, child endangerment and negligent operating of a motor vehicle.

Galorenzo, 35, was arrested on April 8 in Clarksburg. Galorenzo crashed his 2015 Subaru Crosstrek just before 2 a.m. on Middle Road, police said. He then left the scene of the crash on foot, said police, and lost the child in Hudson Brook.

Massachusetts State Police and Clarksburg firefighters pulled the child from the water about 20 minutes later. The child was pronounced dead at Berkshire Medical Center.

District Attorney Timothy Shugrue released a statement calling it one of the most tragic cases he has seen in nearly 40 years of practicing law. Galorenzo’s actions led to the child drowning on a cold, dark night in a river rushing with melting snow.

“During my time as District Attorney, I have stated multiple times that children are the most vulnerable members in our community. They deserve our protection,” he said in a statement. “Mr. Galorenzo, the child’s father, failed at this cardinal task. He put himself and his needs over the safety of his child.”