CLEVELAND - Tears flow in a local courtroom as the man responsible for a fatal wrong way crash learns his punishment.

At times, there was hardly a dry eye inside the courtroom on the 16th floor of the Justice Center Monday morning as 37-year old Pete Harhalos is sentenced for killing 49-year old Matthew Dzerenko.

"Hopefully going through this and seeing justice served will diminish the pain and anxiety that it causes all of us," said Dzerenko's twin brother Mike, as he addressed the court before sentencing.

Prosecutors say July second, Harhalos was driving drunk, the wrong way on Interstate 480 in Brooklyn Heights. His F-150 pickup truck slammed head-on into Matthew's car, killing him.

"This gentleman here gave my brother a life sentence that he didn't deserve, he did not deserve to get killed in the violent, brutal way that he did," said Dzerenko's sister Monica Macklin.

Defense attorneys revealed that Dzerenko had cocaine in his system, which they say could have impaired "his" reaction. Prosecutors say that doesn't matter, that Harhalos is still responsible for killing him.

"Matt wasn't perfect, but he was a great brother," said Macklin.

"He had his demons, he had his vices, but certainly, he did not deserve to die upon impact in the manner and method in which was done," said the assistant county prosecutor handling the case.

"For me to have caused this, just devastating, I have and always will be remorseful," Harhalos tearfully said as he addressed Dzerenko's family.

"Not a day goes by that I don't pray for Matthew and your family, I pray for your hearts to heal, so you know just how sorry I am...if I could, I'd go back and change it, but I can't, I'm sorry," Harhalos continued.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Lance T. Mason sentenced Harhalos to the maximum...five years in prison.

"Mr Harhalos, you've been a law-abiding citizen," said the judge. "But you've got to take responsibility."

"I'm just glad he got the max...we can't replace Matt," said the victim's oldest brother Mark.

"I can't say I'm happy, I'm just saying that it'll help us heal and help my brother rest in peace," said Mike Dzerenko.

"Keep your head up Pete," shouted a family member as Harhalos was led away in handcuffs.

Judge Mason also suspended Harhalos' driver's license for five years. He also fined him $10,000.