WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Stepfather Sentenced in Deadly Hit-and-Run

"At a time I needed to be the strongest, I was at my weakest," William Luther said.

Reading from a prepared statement, Luther, 50, apologized to the court for accidentally killing his stepson 2 years ago. Luther said that not a day goes by that he does not think about what he did.

"I'm so sorry for what I have done," Luther said.

According to police, Luther struck Jason Bear, 27, with his car as Bear was walking along Route 215 in Cabot. Police say that Luther had been drinking and left Bear on the side of the road to die. He later confessed to the accident.

"You will be paying for this the rest of your life," Barre District Court Judge Brian Grearson told Luther.

Luther was sentenced to serve 3 to 15 years for crime-- for leaving the scene of an accident and gross negligent operation-- both with death resulting.

Family of the victim chose not to address the court at the sentencing. However Bear's uncle-- Rick Anderson-- spoke briefly to the press afterwards.

"I hope somebody learns something from this and there will not be any more drunk drivers on the road," he said. Anderson said he was happy with the sentence.

The entire sentencing lasted only about a half hour. By the Judge's order, Luther was immediately taken into custody to begin serving his sentence.