A man with a record of reckless driving has been sentenced to 30 years for a 2009 accident that killed three children, a judge ruled Thursday.
Gabriel Derisco, 43, pleaded guilty to three counts of DUI manslaughter in February.
Delrisco was driving at speeds in excess of 60 miles per hour when he slammed into the back of the Serrano family minivan on Jan. 25, 2009 as it sat at a red light in South Miami-Dade County.
The impact of the crash pushed the rear of the van into the front seat.
Killed in the crash were 10-year-old Hector, 7-year-old Esmeralda and 4-year-old Amber.
Toxicology reports put Delrisco's blood-alcohol level at over three times the legal limit.
Delrisco apologized to the Serrano family during the sentencing hearing, which featured emotional testimony from several relatives.
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"I'm so sorry. I have an illness," Delrisco said. "I never meant for this to happen."
Delrisco faced 45 years in prison. He must serve 27 years.
The parents of the children said they had hoped he would receive the maximum.
"I can never get my children back," mother Miriam Serrano said. "I hope this is a lesson to everyone not to drink and drive."
