Moshe Berkowitz Z"L
A Brooklyn man convicted of running a red light and crashing into and killing a popular Yeshiva teacher broke down in court today, begging his victim’s family for forgiveness just before he was hit with four to 12 years in prison.
Anel Kolenovic, 25, had chugged down the boozy energy drink Four Loko before getting behind the wheel of his Volkswagen Passat and hitting a car driven by Moshe Berkowitz in Midwood in 2010.
“The pain I caused to the family and friends of Mr. Berkowitz has been tearing me apart since it happened,” Kolenovic said through tears and choked sobs in Brooklyn Supreme Court.
“Although nothing I can say can heal the wounds I caused, I hope someday I can be forgiven.”
Kolenovic turned to face Berkowitz family before making his plea in court.
“Please forgive me,” he said. “I never meant for this to happen.”
He could have gotten up to 15 years in prison – and prosecutors had requested the maximum.
“It was a series of irresponsible choices,” said Brooklyn assistant district attorney Gayle Dampf. “There needs to be a lesson learned.”
After the sentencing, Berkowitz’s father said he was happy with the verdict.
“It was a fair sentence. Justice was done,” said Jack Berkowitz.
Before handing down the sentence, Justice John Ingram mentioned the recent crash in Brooklyn that killed a young couple and their unborn child.
“There have been far too many vehicular homicides in this city, this state and this country,” he said.
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