A driver who initially failed to appear in court on a New York vehicular manslaughter charge has now been sentenced to 4 years in prison on that charge and an additional 3 for bail jumping. 

Jose Heras was first involved in the incident on May 25 of 1997. That evening, Heras was suspected of DWI in the death of Kristen Nemec. Nemec, a graduate student at the time of her death, was killed as she left a wedding reception in which she was serving as bridesmaid. T that time, Heras fled the scene, failing to report the accident. Heras turned himself in two days later. After posting $3,500 cash bond, Heras was released from jail.

Heras failed to report for his September 1997 arraignment, leading to a bench warrant for his arrest. He was officially indicted for bail jumping, a serious charge in the state of New York. Surprisingly, Heras managed to live under an alternate identity in Ecuador for 12 years. The crime went un-prosecuted during that period of time. 

An international effort finally lead to Heras's discovery last August. When he finally appeared in court on the charge, Heras showed deep remorse, crying over the events. However, the fact that he fled the country and escaped punishment for so long appeared to work against his favor. Heras now faces 7 possible years in prison as a result of that evening's events so long ago.