A Garnerville man is headed to prison in connection to a deadly hit-and-run last summer that killed an 18-year-old.
Patrick Sharkey will spend the next one to three years behind bars.
News 12 learned during sentencing Thursday morning that both Sharkey and Rivera were to work the same shift at FedEx that day in July 2023.
Sharkey took his mom's car and Rivera took a scooter, when the car struck Rivera on Route 303 in West Nyack.
In June, Sharkey pleaded guilty to charges of leaving the scene of an accident, driving with a revoked license and circumventing an interlock device.
Rivera's family spoke in court. They became emotional while giving impact statements.
"He will never have a chance to have a career,” said Maria Rivera, Dariel’s mother. “A family of his own."
"My daughter that I'll be having soon will never get to meet her uncle," said Dariel’s older sister.
"My son was robbed of his future, his life, and dreams,” said Sam Rivera, Dariel’s Brother.
Sharkey apologized to Dariel’s family then his own. "First and foremost, I want to extend my deepest condolences and apologies."
Then, the judge stopped the defense attorney's own statement for victim blaming.
This weekend marks 14 months since Rivera’s death and his loved ones feel the justice system should be tougher.
The Rivera family is looking to work with lawmakers to introduce legislation in their sons honor regarding bail and having prior convictions.