A Brooklyn man who ran a red light, causing a crash that killed a yeshiva teacher, broke down in court yesterday, begging his victim’s family for forgiveness.
Anel Kolenovic had chugged the boozy energy drink Four Loko before getting behind the wheel in November 2010 and ramming a car driven by Moshe Berkowitz, 25, in Midwood.
“The pain I caused to the family and friends of Mr. Berkowitz has been tearing me apart since it happened,” Kolenovic said through sobs in Brooklyn Supreme Court before he was sentenced to four to 12 years.
“Although nothing I can say can heal the wounds I caused, I hope someday I can be forgiven.”
Kolenovic, 25, turned to face the Berkowitz family, telling them, “Please forgive me. I never meant for this to happen.”
Before handing down the sentence, Justice John Ingram mentioned the recent hit and run that took the lives of Nachman and Raizy Glauber and their unborn child.
“This court is aware that there was another recent tragedy, in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. There have been far too many vehicular homicides in this city, this state, and this country,” Ingram said.
“It was a series of irresponsible choices,” said Brooklyn Assistant District Attorney Gayle Dampf. “There needs to be a lesson learned.”
Berkowitz’s dad, Jack, was satisfied: “It was a fair sentence. Justice was done.”