MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich. – Xhuljan Gjinaj was sentenced to at least five years in prison Thursday for a hit-and-run Aug. 31, 2015 at 14 Mile and Ryan roads which killed a 47-year-old woman as she and her son were walking near the intersection.
Linda Khayya and her 15-year-old son were walking near the corner of 14 Mile and Ryan roads when a red Cadillac hit them and fled the scene, police said.
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Khayya died from her injuries. Her son had to be hospitalized for injuries.
Watch report from Sept. 1, 2015: Woman killed, special needs son injured in hit-and-run
Police found the Cadillac a short time later in Highland Park. The suspect was identified as Gjinaj, who was 22 years old at the time.
He was arrested and charged with operating while intoxicated causing death, operating while intoxicated causing serious injury, driving on a suspended license and leaving the scene of an injury accident. He pleaded no contest to the charges earlier this year.
'I wish it never happened'
Gjinaj cried while he spoke Thursday before Judge Michael Servitto, who handed down a sentence of 71 months to 15 years in prison.
"I just want everyone to know that since this happened it has been very hard for me to live with this. I wish it never happened. I just want them to know that I'm very sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen. I hope God gives them strength to get through this," said Gjinaj. "Since this incident I've learned a lot and I've bettered myself a lot. I've realized a lot of things -- what matters in life and the importance of family. I've taken some good out of the bad and I just hope that I can get through this and be a part of the community again one day."
Servitto said the court can't begin to comprehend how this tragedy impacted Khayya's family. An attorney representing the family said Linda Khayya's son was in court Thursday but he would not be offering a vocal statement. His family wanted the judge to know he is autistic and each day he has to be reminded that his mother is dead and is not coming back.
Servitto said the court is thankful for Gjinaj sparing the family a trial and for his remorsefulness, but the judge said it does not minimize what happened, specifically how Gjinaj left the scene of the accident.
"It's tragic for your family as well. But there are consequences to your actions, what you did, and particularly what happened after -- the egregiousness of trying to cover it up," said the judge.
Gjinaj gets credit for two days served.
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