William Liepe was sentenced to 32 years in prison after he drove drunk, causing a crash that killed a 9-year-old and paralyzed his best friend.
The South Jersey man who prosecutors say was drunk when he caused a crash that killed one boy and paralyzed another told the victims' families his father was killed by a drunken driver.
Speaking before he was sentenced Thursday, 62-year-old William Liepe said that was the day in 1969 when he started drinking.
A judge sentenced the Hamilton Township resident to 32 years in prison for aggravated manslaughter and aggravated assault. He must serve at least 27 years before he'll be eligible for release.
Prosecutors said Liepe had a blood-alcohol level of .19 when he caused a three-vehicle accident that killed 9-year-old Ryan Schleyer and left 11-year-old M.J. Guzman paralyzed in Hamilton in 2011.
The victims' families described their losses.
