Golden – Gregory Ullrich began to cry as Jean Willis read a “love letter” to her grandson, Chayce Miller, whom she called the family’s “golden dream child.”
Miller and Alex Livesay, described as two teens with a lot of potential, were killed on Mother’s Day eve last year when a drunken Ullrich slammed a car into a light pole at Wadsworth Boulevard and West 92nd Avenue.
Ullrich, who turns 25 next month, was sentenced Monday to 20 years in prison with 60 months of mandatory parole. He could have received a maximum of 24 years.
In January, Ullrich pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide in the deaths of the two 16-year-old Pomona High School students who were passengers in a car that Ullrich had taken without permission.
Ullrich had a blood-alcohol level of 0.184 – more than twice the legal limit – and was traveling between 57 and 65 mph in a 45-mph zone.
“To say I’m sorry isn’t enough. It just doesn’t cut it,” Ullrich told the court.
He then turned and addressed the Miller and Livesay families, saying his alcohol addiction and bad judgment were responsible for the deaths.
“I can never make up for that. I’m so sorry,” Ullrich said.
Members of both families said they felt Ullrich was remorseful.
“I think he’s sincere,” said Chayce’s mother, Erin. “I hope this will send a message to make better decisions, and to not get behind the wheel when drinking.”
Alex’s mother, Gail, said the sentence was justified, saying, “I do feel bad for him. He has to live with this for the rest of his life.”
Ullrich had two prior drunken-driving convictions, and his license had been revoked.
Five weeks before the crash that killed Miller and Livesay, Ullrich again was arrested for DUI.
In passing sentence, Jefferson County District Court Judge Jack Berryhill cited Ullrich’s history, and noted he started drinking at age 9 and admitted to binge drinking six beers and a fifth of vodka several times a week.
Livesay and Miller “will never have a chance to grow old – in or out of prison,” Berryhill told Ullrich.
Turning to the families, Berryhill said, “They are forever young. They will always be 16 in your hearts and minds.”
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com.
