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A sentence of up to 16 months in state prison may be coming in January to the Hillsborough man in a pickup truck who struck and severely injured Menlo Park bicycle racer MaryAnn Levenson 11 months ago.

Walter Sorenson, 76 years old at the time of the accident, avoided a jury trial by agreeing to plead "no contest" to a conviction of felony drunken driving, said San Mateo County Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Jan. 25 in the Redwood City courtroom of Superior Court Judge John Grandsaert. Mr. Sorenson remains out of custody on $50,000 bail.

Ms. Levenson was 48 on Dec. 23, 2006, when she was hit from behind by Mr. Sorenson's truck in the eastbound bike lane on Sand Hill Road just east of the Interstate 280 interchange. The truck dragged her some 35 feet. Among her extensive injuries: a fractured pelvis, broken vertebrae, a shattered larynx and extensive damage to one of her feet, part of which had to be reattached.

Her severe physical trauma belied a hardy spirit: Ms. Levenson was back up and racing less than three months later.

She is now a member of Menlo Park's Bicycle Commission, which advises the City Council on existing and planned bike facilities in the city.

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