A down-on-his-luck alcoholic, whose blood alcohol level was more than three times the legal limit when he caused the crash that killed Norwich firefighter Benjamin De Mond two years ago and critically injured De Mond’s children and another man, was sentenced Wednesday in Superior Court to eight years in prison.

Willis Goodale, 52, formerly of Groton, had pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter, three counts of second-degree assault and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The surviving crash victims did not attend the sentencing but were represented by attorney Mark F. Griffin, who has brought a civil suit on their behalf in Waterbury Superior Court.

“Mr. Goodale’s sentencing today is a reminder to us all that drinking and driving is a breeding ground for tragedy,” Griffin said.

A longtime alcoholic, Goodale was unemployed and living in his Jeep Cherokee at the Mobil service station on Interstate 395 across from the Troop E state police barracks when, on March 9, 2012, he consumed several vodka drinks and attempted to drive, according to prosecutor Christa L. Baker.

With a blood alcohol level of 0.25 percent, which Judge Kevin P. McMahon said had rendered him “blind,” Goodale attempted to cross the highway’s southbound lanes. De Mond, driving south with his two young sons, swerved but could not avoid Goodale’s car. The firefighter’s car was propelled into the northbound travel lane, where it collided head-on with the car of Albert Crouch of Montville, causing Crouch’s car to roll over, and struck another car driven by Albert Fisher of Lisbon.

De Mond, whose car caught fire, suffered multiple fatal injuries. He was 33. His sons, 4-year-old Nicholas and 6-year-old Alex, were critically injured and continue to feel the effects of the accident two years later, according to their attorney. Crouch also was severely injured. All of the victims had to undergo multiple surgeries and continue to suffer from medical issues, according to Griffin.

Goodale, who entered De Mond’s burning car and tried to rescue the two children, has been incarcerated since the crash. While some defendants are merely sorry that they were caught, Goodale appears to have been genuinely remorseful since the crash, according to the prosecutor.

“He has put himself before the court saying, ‘I will take whatever the court gives,’” Baker said.

Goodale, dressed in prison tans, stood up and offered an apology to the De Mond family and Crouch, saying he could not put his feelings in words. His attorney, Alix Walmsley, said Goodale would trade places with De Mond if he could.

“This crash is such a terrible crash that it takes your breath away even two years later,” Walmsley said.

Goodale, a former Eagle Scout and briefly a Navy sailor, did not appear to have any particular trauma in his life that led to his substance abuse, according to Baker.

Goodale, whose employment history was spotty, was unable to pay an attorney and was represented by the public defender’s office. The civil lawsuit seeking millions of dollars for the wrongful death of De Mond, medical bills for the victims and compensation for pain and suffering cites six parties involved in the ownership and operation of the Mobil station, whose employees Griffin said failed to intervene to prevent the crash.

Members of the Norwich Fire Department have continued to help the De Mond children, who now live with their mother in Watertown, through fundraisers. The department held a softball tournament in Benjamin De Mond’s memory last weekend.

Lt. Mike Dzaivit represented the department at the sentencing.

“I think it’s important to show that Ben is sadly missed and never will be forgotten,” he said.

Goodale, who had no criminal record prior to the crash, will be on probation for five years following his release and will be prohibited from drinking. The judge ordered him to attend one manslaughter sentencing during each year of his probation and to perform 100 hours of community service each year, addressing minors and other groups about the effects of drunken driving.

McMahon told Goodale the effects of the crash would go on for a long time for the victims, “a lot longer than you’re going to be in jail.”

k.florin@theday.com

Twitter: @Kflorin