PONTIAC, Mich. – A man convicted of drunken driving and causing a crash that killed a 62-year-old grandmother was sentenced Monday to at least four years in prison.
Elisabeth Buchheister was driving her 10-year-old stepgrandson, Matthew, to his soccer game last October on Rochester Road in Oakland Township.
Police said Scott Day's pickup truck crossed the center line and hit Buchheister's car head-on.
Buchheister died, but Matthew lived. He stood next to his parents Monday at Day's sentencing.
"He used to be a relaxed child. Now he is full of stress and anxiety," said Peter Gawthrop, Matthew's father.
Police said Day's blood-alcohol level at the time of the crash was 0.168 percent -- more than twice the legal limit.
"I don't expect you to forgive me, but do know I feel remorse and sympathy for what happened," Day told the family.
He was sentenced to 57 months to 15 years in prison.
Bill Gawthrop was married for 33 years to Buchheister.
"I still relive that day over and over in my life. I have kept very busy but it still keeps coming back. I don't think that is going to change any time soon. I really miss her," he said.
Buchheister ran a reading program at the Rochester Hills Public Library. Her husband said he will make sure it continues.