Drunk Driver Sentenced To 10 Years For Killing Cyclist On Lookout Mountain

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - The man charged with hitting and killing a bicyclist on Lookout Mountain while intoxicated has been sentenced to prison.

In court on Friday afternoon, it may have been the victim's 8-year-old son who said it best.

Owen, too short to see over the podium, stood on a chair while a letter he wrote to the court was read by his uncle.

"I miss my dad in big and small ways. I miss guy's night, now Tuesdays are just boring and extra sad."

Tom Flanagan, 38, was rounding his last curve down Lookout Mountain when he was hit by a drunk driver in August.

Zachary Strnad, 19 at the time, wasn't old enough to drink but had a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit. He also didn't have a license, but chose drive anyway.

"Anything that I can ever say or do will never bring Mr. Flanagan back, but I just want the family to know, especially his wife and son, that I'm very sorry," Strnad said in court.

A judge heard that apology, but chose to sentence him to 10 years in prison.

It's a decision the family and District Attorney Pete Weir say was not only just but impactful.

"Hopefully it sends the message that somebody thinks twice before they get behind the wheel, when they've been drinking. Because these tragedies happen, and we are seeing them far far too often," said Weir.

Strnad pled guilty, which resulted in 10 years as the maximum sentence he could receive. The defense had asked for community corrections instead of prison time.