JANESVILLE, Wis., Posted 1:11 p.m. June 11, 1999 -- The driver of a van that crashed and killed seven young people was sentenced in Rock County Court today to seven years in prison.

Jeremy Holmes, 20, also will serve four years of probation, reports The Associated Press.

Before he was sentenced, Holmes told Rock County Circuit Judge John Roethe he was sorry and takes responsibility for the accident.

"I do take responsibility for the actions," Holmes said in court, "And everything that I can say, I've written to the court and stated that what everything comes down to... I'm sorry."

Holmes pleaded guilty April 15 to seven counts of vehicular homicide and five counts of causing great bodily harm in the March 25 accident on Interstate 90.

The accident was one of the largest multiple-fatality accidents in Wisconsin's history. Twelve of the 14 young passengers were ejected through the window -- they were not wearing seatbelts.

The young people were employed by a door-to-door magazine-selling company, Subscriptions Plus, and were headed back to their hotel.

Authorities say Holmes was speeding and was trying to switch places with a passenger because he didn't have a valid driver's license and was being trailed by a squad car.

Before his sentencing, victims' family members addressed the court, requesting the maximum sentence, which was more than 20 years in prison.

"For some of us, our children are now but a memory, while others will have scars for the rest of their lives," Pamela Christman told the court. "Let this country know that Wisconsin will not allow nor tolerate these actions. Maybe it just might prevent another tragedy from happening again."

Christman's son Peter, of Oklahoma, died in the hospital the day after the crash.

Bonnie Lettman of Oregon also asked Roethe to hand down a hefty sentence. Lettman lost her daughter, Amber, in the crash.

She told the judge Holmes chose his personel freedom over the lives of the victims, including her daughter.

When announcing Holmes' sentence, Roethe said jail time was necessary because of the "nature and gravity of this offense."

Discussions:

• Is The Sentence Too Lenient?
• Criminal Or Irresponsible?

From Our Archive:

• April 21, 1999: Van Crash Lawsuit: Families Hire Cochran
• April 15, 1999: Van Driver Pleads Guilty
• April 14, 1999: Van Crash Driver To Plead Guilty
• April 5, 1999: Crash Case Plagued By Reluctant Witnesses
• April 12, 1999: Van Crash Witness Gives Deposition Today
• April 2, 1999: Van Crash Witness Fights Extradition
• April 1, 1999: Van Crash Survivor Found In D.C.
• March 31, 1999: Van Driver Holmes Pleads Not Guilty
• March 27, 1999: Van Crash Victims Upgrades To Fair Condition
• March 26, 1999: Crash Claims Seventh Victim, Driver Charged
• March 26, 1999: Van Driver Will Face Charges In Wisconsin
• March 25, 1999: Police: Van Driver Tried To Switch Seats
• March 25, 1999: Crash Prompts Warnings About Subscription Company
• March 25, 1999: I-90 Crash: 'Bodies Everywhere'
• March 25, 1999: I-90 Crash: 6 Dead