Updated at: 09/17/2009 9:56 AM
By: Renee Passal

Overwhelming Emotion at Sentencing

It was supposed to be a normal summer night. Jerry Jubie, Scott Sertich, and Christopher Hammer finished up work at the Kolar dealership in Cloquet, and went out for drinks.

But it ended in tragedy. Jubie was driving on the Guss Road near the Buffalo House, when he hit a tree. Hammer died at the scene. Sertich was seriously injured.

The State Patrol said that Jubie was speeding around the corner. Court records said his blood alcohol level was almost twice the legal limit.

On Wednesday morning, he was sentenced for his actions that July 29, 2008.

Starting Monday, Jubie will serve 18 months at the Northeast Regional Corrections Center. He'll then be on probation for 10 years, speak for the Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and do DWI awareness programming at the Esko schools.

The courtroom was packed with both supporters of the Jubie family and the Hammer family.

Tiffanee Hammer, Chris' widow, cried as she read her victim impact statement. "I flashback to the memory of receiving the devastating news of Chris' death. I wonder if he was scared and did he suffer. I'm working to raise our boy alone, when I am physically and emotionally exhausted. I go to bed crying and I wake up crying." The Hammers had just adopted a baby boy, six months before the crash.

Hammer's mother and father also spoke, and said they are living a life sentence of pain and devastation. "I miss him," Mr. Hammer said. "I'd go to prison to have my son back."

Jubie also addressed the court. He wept on and off during the hearing. "Chris was my best friend. I am deeply sorry. Words cannot explain how I feel. I pray every day for the Hammer family."

His wife also spoke, and said she hopes for forgiveness. She and their children are taking each day as it comes.

Judge Shaun Floerke said he hopes this brought some closure, and that Chris would want everyone to live better from this day forward.