The Shirley man convicted of drunken driving and crashing into a Nassau cop's patrol car, partially paralyzing him, was sentenced to seven years in prison Wednesday.Officer Kenneth Baribault suffered brain trauma and a shattered pelvis after Rahiem Griffin plowed into his patrol car last year on the Long Island Expressway in Plainview.

The judge gave Griffin the maximum sentence saying his hands were tied by sentencing guidelines. Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice says lawmakers need to get tougher on drunken drivers.

Griffin admitted he was driving drunk at the time, but blamed the crash on falling asleep at wheel. He has promised to appeal.