The 72-year-old driver involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash on S.R. 836 in 2009 accepted a plea deal Wednesday that will send him to prison for 10 years.
"I miss my brother Rudy dearly," said Maggie Garmendia, the sister of Rudy Garmendia. "I feel a part of me is broken."
The family of Rudy Garmendia, a husband and father of three, packed the courtroom Wednesday as Charlie Bible was sentenced. Maggie Garmendia fought back tears as she spoke about her brother's death.
"I am haunted by nightmares of my brother cold and left to die there alone in pain," said Garmendia.
According to prosecutors, Rudy Garmendia pulled off to the side of the Dolphin Expressway because of a flat tire. As he stepped out to look, a Ford F-150 veered off the road and hit and killed Garmendia, 36.
Bible was later arrested and admitted to driving away after the crash.
"It is time for Mr. Bible to accept the consequences of his poor decision," said a cousin of Garmendia.
"This is a crime. This is murder and murder cannot be justified by 10 years in jail," said William DeCardenas, Garmendia's brother-in-law.
Bible faced Garmendia's family during the sentencing hearing on Wednesday.
"I'm sorry for what I have done to your family," said Bible. "My prayers is that some of your pain eases and I pray that everyone can move forward."
Along with his 10 year prison sentence, Bible was sentenced to 10 years probation and will have his license suspended for life.
"I would imagine that he would be remorseful but we would've much rather him show his remorse the day of the crime," said DeCardenas. "If he would've chosen to stay and help my brother-in-law and not flee the scene as he did."
