CHICAGO
— A former suburban Chicago police officer convicted of driving the wrong way
on Lake Shore Drive in 2013 and causing a fatal crash was sentenced Friday to
10 years in prison.
Terrell
Garrett, who worked for the North Chicago Police Department, was charged with
two counts of aggravated driving under the influence and two counts of reckless
homicide following a crash that killed 25-year-old Joaquin Garcia, 25, and
Fabian Torres, 27. In a deal with prosecutors, Garrett pleaded guilty to three
counts of aggravated DUI before Cook County Judge Mary Brosnahan imposed the
prison sentence. It did not please the victim's families.
"My
son's life was worth more than 10 years," said Cecilia Garcia, whose son
was studying to be a surgical technician at Chicago's Malcolm X College.
Maria
Torres, whose son was a first-year student at DePaul University, noted the
judge had a sentencing range of between seven and 31 years.
"She
didn't even try to go in the middle," said Maria Torres. "Ten years
is not enough. It's a letdown. It's a disappointment."
Garrett
was off duty at the time of the crash. Witnesses said he was traveling 60 mph
or more before the two cars collided.
Cook
County prosecutors say Garrett's blood alcohol content after the early-morning
crash was measured at 0.184, more than twice the 0.08 legal limit.
A
passenger in a third automobile involved in the crash, Eve Yeaton, was injured.
Yeaton said she hasn't been able to work and sees a long list of therapists for
post-traumatic stress disorder and concussion.
"In
my heart, Terrell, I would like you to know I forgive you," she said.
"None of us want to be in this situation, including you."
Before
being sentenced, the 36-year-old Garrett said he takes responsibility for his
actions.
"Today
is the hardest day of my life and it's my own fault," he said. "If I
could give my life for theirs I would. I'm sorry, but I know that's not good
enough."
Maria
Torres said she would forgive Garrett if he apologized to her from her heart.
"He
does not know what he took from me," she said. "He took a beautiful
person. He had a beautiful soul."