A 19-year-old Crofton man was sentenced yesterday to six months on work-release after being convicted of homicide by motor vehicle while intoxicated in an accident that killed his 17-year-old passenger.

Anne Arundel Circuit Judge Raymond G. Thieme Jr. sentenced Joseph Allen Theriault of the 1800 block of Ralston Place for his role in the Nov. 30, 1993, accident.

Theriault was driving his 1981 Honda Prelude west on Defense Highway near A & Eagle Boulevard in Annapolis shortly after 8 p.m. when he lost control and smashed into a utility pole, killing his passenger and close friend, Edward M. Martin Jr. of the 100 block of Carroll Road, Glen Burnie.

Theirault later was found to have a blood alcohol content of 0.11. A level of .10 is considered legally drunk in Maryland.

The judge also sentenced Theriault to five years' probation and ordered him to continue drug and alcohol counseling and perform 200 hours of community service, after the victim's father, Edward Martin Sr., said he didn't think the defendant should be behind bars.