PONTIAC, Mich. – Tearful memories from grieving parents filled a courtroom Wednesday for the sentencing of a deputy convicted of causing a crash that claimed the lives of two people.
Deputy Dennis Alvis' vehicle collided with a car at the intersection of Cesar Chavez and Johnson in November.
The driver of that car, Joseph Lawton-Hooks, died Nov. 5. His passenger, 24-year-old James Greer, died later that month.
The Sheriff's Office says that Alvis' emergency equipment had been activated and he was driving to help other deputies in an unrelated pursuit.
He was charged with two counts of a moving violation causing death and pleaded no contest. He has been sentenced to 18 months of probation and 250 hours of community service.
"This is for the families. I offer my condolences. I'm sorry for my actions and I didn't mean to do it," Alvis said.
Greer's parents read statements before Alvis' sentencing, recalling their son's kind spirits and wonderful laugh.
"My heart is broken because I lost my only child," Greer's mother, Renee, said. "I miss the long talks, the 'I love you' texts, his voice, hugs and hearing him say, 'Hey, mom.'"
Greer's parents said the hardest part was watching their son try to recover.
"He fought and suffered for almost three weeks, and it is so hard to watch your child go through that. All because Dennis Alvis didn't slow down," Renee Greer said.