A Vermont man who killed 5 teenagers while he was driving the wrong way has 30 years in prison for life

A man who killed five teenagers while driving in the wrong direction on a Vermont highway nearly three years ago was sentenced Monday to 30 years in prison for life.

Steven Bourgoin, 38, is apologized to the families of teenagers at the hearing of his sentence in a Burlington court. In May, he was convicted of five counts of second degree murder, as well as gross negligent driving and driving without the owner's consent.

During the trial, he admitted that he had crashed into a car carrying five teenagers in October 2016, but had argued that he was crazy at the time.

The accident killed Mary Harris, 16, of Moretown; Cyrus Zschau, 16, from Moretown; Liam Hale, 16, Fayston; Janie Cozzi, 15, Fayston; and Eli Brookens, 16, of Waterbury.

Bourgoin was heading south on Interstate 89 when he returned to head north in the southbound lanes at a speed of 90 miles at the hour, the police said. He collided with the car carrying teens to Williston.

During his trial, the psychiatrists said that a few days before the crash, Bourgoin thought he was on a secret mission and thought he was in danger. They said that he thought he was getting signals from the lights, radios and television to know what to do.

Prosecutors said Bourgoing had problems with his relationships, finances, and custody of his children.

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After the accident, investigators said that Bourgoin had stolen the police vehicle from a police officer who had reacted on the scene. He drove away and returned to the scene, triggering a second accident that injured several people, reported the Burlington Free Press.

The parents of the teenagers said that Bourgoing had stolen their children and should be held responsible. He must receive a credit for three years of service.

Associated Press contributed to this report.