A Dorchester man yesterday admitted to killing his friend and passenger, 26-year-old Errol Barrett, while driving drunk in Charlestown last May, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley announced.

ERIX SANTIAGO (D.O.B. 10/27/82) pleaded guilty to the crimes of motor vehicle homicide while under the influence of alcohol, drag racing, and speeding for Barrett’s death in the early morning hours of May 26, 2008.

Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Bucci recommended that Santiago serve a term of seven to 10 years in state prison for Barrett’s death; Suffolk Superior Court Judge Stephen E. Neel sentenced him to five to six years.

Had the case proceeded to trial, Bucci would have proven that Santiago was driving his 1994 Honda Civic on Rutherford Avenue at a high rate of speed shortly before 3:00 a.m. The evidence would have shown that he was intoxicated when he lost control, flipped the vehicle multiple times, and struck a light pole.

The light pole penetrated the passenger’s seat area, killing Barrett. Post-collision analysis showed that the car was traveling at about 50 mph in a 40 mph zone when Santiago lost control, and medical experts would have testified at trial that Santiago’s blood-alcohol level was higher than .20 when he was hospitalized afterwards.

Jessica Sheehan was the victim-witness advocate assigned to the case. Santiago was represented by attorney Eduardo Masferrer.