FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A former Miami-Dade police officer was sentenced to 8 years in state prison Monday for his role in a deadly hit-and-run accident.

In October of 2006, 30-year-old Michael Alayon was driving his green Lexus westbound on I-595 when he rear-ended an SUV. The driver of the SUV, 54-year-old Ryland Nye, was ejected from his vehicle, run over by seven other cars and killed.

When Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrived, the Lexus was there, but Alayon was gone. They found him at home a few hours later, where he told investigators that someone broke into his home and stole his car. But court records show Alayon had injuries consistent with a car accident and he smelled of alcohol.

In court Monday, Nye’s family lashed out at Alayon before he was sentenced.

“I’m sorry, Michael. I can’t forgive you. Maybe God can, but I can’t. You tore this family apart." said Lois Myers, Nye’s mother-in-law. “We go through this trauma day in and day out. It’s supposed to get easier, but it never will get easier, Michael" she said.

Alayon took the stand and denied he was under the influence the night of the crash. He said he was driving around Broward County, “trying to clear his head," when the accident happened. He said he just panicked after the crash and ran away. He said a stranger drove him home.

“I’m ashamed of myself. I’m embarrassed. I’m sorry for everything that’s gone on because of my actions,” Alayon told Nye’s family in court.

But family members said it was too late to apologize and described in tearful detail the impact the fatal accident has had on their lives.

“Do you know what it’s like to have your daughter say she wants to go to heaven to be with her daddy?” asked Deborah Nye, the victim’s widow.

If prosecutors were able to prove Alayon was drinking, he could have faced up to 30 years in prison. Instead, he was allowed to plead guilty to leaving the scene of a deadly accident, a much lesser charge.

Judge Marc Gold scolded the former police officer for trying to cover up his role in the wreck and sentenced him to 8 years in prison. It was hardly the closure Nye’s family was hoping for.

“No matter what the sentencing may be, you still have your life. We just have the memory," said the victim’s daughter, Candace Jones-Nye.

Alayon is still facing criminal charges in Miami-Dade County where he’s accused of filing a false police report and insurance fraud.