Driver who struck, killed Officer Noah Leotta sentenced to 10 years in prison

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. - The driver who hit and killed a Montgomery County, Md. police officer at a DUI checkpoint is going to prison. Luis Reluzco was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Thursday for killing Officer Noah Leotta.

Reluzco's sentencing hearing lasted nearly four and FOX 5's Paul Wagner reports it was excruciatingly emotional. In May, Reluzco pled guilty to a charge of manslaughter by motor vehicle in the case.

At the hearing, many of Leotta's family members spoke about what his loss has meant to them, including his parents. Wagner reports Reluzco also made a heartfelt apology to Leotta's family. His attorneys declined to comment after the hearing ended.

Leotta was working a DUI checkpoint in Rockville, looking for drunk drivers, when he was hit on December 3, 2015. He died a week later on December 10. Reluzco had a BAC of 0.22 when he hit Leotta.

Leotta's death led to the creation of Noah's Law, which fits second time offenders with an interlock device on their cars.

Stay with FOX 5 DC for updates on this story.