Repeat DUI offender convicted of killing a woman in crash will serve lengthy prison sentence

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- In Fresno County Superior Court Thursday convicted felon Luis Moreno begged the court for mercy.

A jury found the 51-year-old guilty of murdering a mother of eight in a drunk driving car crash. It was his sixth DUI the night he took Blia Vang's life.

Family members from both sides expressed their pain and Moreno's family asking for a lenient sentence because of his alcoholism.

"And I know he's just like a lot of us in society. He walks around with a lot of pain and the way that he dealt with it was alcohol. And unfortunately it caught up to him and the Vang family and the community at large," said Angelica Martinez, Moreno's sister.

But Vang's family begged the judge to imprison him for a life

"It wasn't an accident, he chose to drink, he chose to drive, those were his choices. And you can only get so many chances before you need to just go," said Michelle Her, victims' daughter.

The crash happened back in 2013, not far from Table Mountain Casino. Vang's husband Yee Her was also in the car and was badly injured.

Moreno's blood alcohol level was almost five times the legal limit.

"There's not enough sorrow in my heart to show how truly sorry I am. I acknowledge my wrong. I'm sorry," said Moreno.

In the end, Moreno was given 21 years to life in prison. He will be 71 before he can be considered for parole.