A Weatherly man was sentenced on Friday in Carbon County court to a prison term for a fatal crash that occurred over four years ago.

Jeri Douglas Brewer, 24, was sentenced by Judge Joseph J. Matika to serve a total of four to 23 months in prison followed by three years of probation.

During the emotional proceeding, during which family members of the defendant and victim testified, Brewer offered an apology for what happened.

State police at Hazleton said Brewer was driving his 2000 Chevrolet Impala around 91 mph along Route 93 when it crossed the double yellow line and struck a 2009 GMC Canyon driven by Mary Beth Thamarus, 55, on Brenkman Drive in Packer Township. While conscious at the scene of the March 7, 2016, crash, Thamarus was pronounced dead nearly two hours later at Lehigh Valley Hospital- Hazleton campus.

Her cause of death was ruled as multiple traumatic injuries sustained in the crash.

Police said the posted speed limit on the section of Brenkman Drive where the crash happened is 50 mph. Crews removed the driver side door of Thamarus’ vehicle to extricate her.

At the scene, Brewer told police “he was driving, lost control and after that he couldn’t remember.”

Two witnesses told police Brewer’s vehicle passed them at a high rate of speed just before the crash.

Sobbing, Brewer apologized to the Thamarus family. He told the court, “There is nothing I can say to make things right.” He added, “I’m trying to live with the guilt and will the rest of my life.”

He admitted to having a drug problem and was trying to get off drugs at the time of the crash. He said he went to counseling sessions to handle the emotion of what happened.

He said, “I wish I could take it back.”

Members of his family all testified to the remorse he has shown since the incident and what he has done since.

Equally emotional was the testimony of the Thamarus family including her son, daughter and twin sister. All spoke of the loss of a loved one and life without her.

Matika said there was no sentence he could impose that would be enough to satisfy the victim’s family.

He asked Brewer why he was speeding the day of the incident. Brewer told the court, “That what hurts the most. I have no reason for me speeding that night.”

Matika told Brewer his conduct that day was “very reckless.”

Matika also ordered Brewer to get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations and follow any recommendations for treatment, render 100 hours of community service when paroled, supply a DNA sample, pay court costs of about $1,000 and pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole and probation.

Defense attorney Paul J. Levy, of the public defender’s office, asked to delay the start of the prison term until Monday or later.

Matika denied the request, saying the victim’s family needed closure and Brewer starting his prison term immediately would help with that closure.

Brewer was given six days credit against the sentence and was granted immediate work-release privileges.