It took three years, but on Wednesday the family of Rudy Garmendia found out that the man responsible for his death will get 10 years in prison.
Charles Bible accepted a plea deal and admitted guilt to DUI manslaughter and failure to render aid. Bible also got 10 years probation and permanent revocation of his driver's license.
"I miss my brother deeply," said Rudy's sister, Maggie Garmendia, who struggled to hold back the tears in court. "I'm haunted by nightmares of my brother coldly left to die alone in pain."
She spoke about her younger brother whose life was cut short at the hands of a drunk driver.
"Charles Bible has extinguished the part of my heart that once held, innocence, trust and confidence," she said.
On Aug. 10, 2009, 36-year-old Rudy Garmendia was struck and killed by a vehicle while changing a flat tire on the Dolphin Expressway. The hit-and-run driver was later identified as Bible.
"Sir, may you rot in hell," said Garmendia's friend Manny Chamizo.
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One-by-one, loved ones spoke candidly about the brother, son , father of three, husband and friend who was senselessly ripped from their lives.
Just before learning his fate, 72-year-old Bible turned to the victim's family and said he was sorry, as tears streamed down his face.
"I'm sorry for what I've done to your family," Bible said.
"I cannot forgive Charles Bible for what he has done," said Maggie Garmendia.
"I would imagine that he would be remorseful, but we would have much rather him show his remorse the day of the scene of the crime," said the victim's brother-in-law William Decardenas.
"I hope this serves as a lesson for anyone even contemplating driving while under the influence, you kill people like that," said Cathy Pareto, Garmendia's cousin.
