A New Mexico man was sentenced to 40 years in connection with a drunken driving accident that claimed the lives of two sisters from the Navajo Nation.

James Ruiz, 36, admitted he rear ended a vehicle carrying the Peshlakai family. Deshauna, 17, and Del Lynn, 19, were killed on March 5, 2010.

Ruiz was drinking on the night of the accident. His blood alcohol level was 0.22 after the crash, nearly three times the state's legal limit.

"I certainly can't fault you for your hatred of me," Ruiz said in court, The Santa Fe New Mexican reported. "You have been robbed of two of God's most precious gifts. ... I will never forgive myself."

At the time of the crash, Ruiz had three prior DWIs and one pending DWI case, the paper said. He blamed the state of New Mexico for not being harsh enough in his prior cases, an explanation that was rejected by Danelle Peshlakai, the older sister of Deshauna and Del Lynn.

"After you get out, the only apology we can get from you is for you to change your life. Man up," she said in court, the New Mexican reported.

The Peshlakai family attended a basketball game at Santa Fe Indian School before the accident. Deshauna played for Newcomb High School though she was sidelined due to an injury.

Del Lynn had played for the team when she was in school. All three of their older sisters also played.

Get the Story:
Ruiz gets 40 years for fatal DWI crash (The Santa Fe New Mexican 10/21)

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