GILLETTE, WYO. (AP) — A judge in Gillette has sentenced a man to 14-to-18 years in prison, for the hit-and-run killing of a tow truck driver, after a night of drinking in November 2012.

Justin Lynn Helsper had pleaded no contest to aggravated vehicular homicide in exchange for a recommended 14-to-18 year sentence from prosecutors.

The AP reports that he was sentenced last week, by District Judge, Thomas W. Rumpke.

Through sobs and tears, Helsper apologized to the family of Larry Schofield, who was helping a stranded motorist on the side of the road, when he was struck.

He had been convicted of drunken driving twice before, one involving a hit-and-run incident with a tree.

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