Is it just me, or is a MAXIMUM 15 months sentence (possible much lower) pretty darn lenient for almost killing someone? Does this attempted murderer also at least have to stop driving a car permanently, since he clearly shouldn't be trusted behind the wheel, or will he just spend at most a few more months in prison than his victim spent in the hospital / rehab?

The DMV, not the courts, decides on his driver's license. With a sentence of 16 months he me be out much sooner if he behaves himself. By pleading no contest he cannot have charges brought against him in a civil suit, so he will not pay a penny. The victim will have huge medical bills to deal with for many years, and this guy will be free for most of them. He apparently had a smart lawyer who got him a good deal. It makes me sick to see what passes for justice in this country.