Albuquerque, N.M. — A local family says they can start healing after the man who hit and killed their loved one was finally sentenced after going on the run. Francisco Reyes-Merlos was originally sentenced back in 2022 but then he ran from the law. The feds finally caught up to him last month and Friday, he learned his fate.

He’s spending more time behind bars than he would have if he didn’t flee but Travis Dehart’s family says they’re not satisfied because the time added is shorter than the time Reyes-Merlos was on the run.

“We’re kind of glad it’s over, but still feel defeated, just because six years is not really, you know, for someone dying due to negligence and speed racing, it’s painful to hear the six years…it’s just doesn’t seem like it’s enough time,” said Matthew Hall, Dehart’s brother-in-law.

Friday, Dehart’s family finally got some closure, nearly six years after he was killed.

“It’s troubling not seeing someone so young at family functions, at holidays because someone took their life. That’s the most painful part,” Hall said.

“I’m just excited that this whole thing is over. So I can start healing and just trying to put everything back together…just try to heal,” Ann Marie Dehart, Travis Dehart’s wife said.

April 2019, the father of six was teaching his then 15-year-old daughter how to drive on Montgomery near Pennsylvania. Then Francisco Reyes-Merlos t-boned their car, slamming it into a pole. Dehart died at the scene. His daughter, Victoria, was injured but survived.

Investigators say Reyes-Merlos was driving 89 miles per hour—about twice the speed limit.

“He had such an extensive track record of speeding and reckless driving,” Hall continued. “It’s like it took this to even get him to go to prison, you know, if he had that many violations, something should have been done way before that to prevent this.”

In 2022, Reyes-Merlos took a plea deal and was sentenced to four years in prison for vehicular homicide. As part of that deal, Judge Britt Baca let him go, with the promise he would turn himself in a month later but he never showed. U.S. Marshals caught up with him last month , nearly three years later.

“It was frustrating. I’ve lost a lot of sleep at night. And you know, I’m just happy that he’s caught and he’s behind bars. I’m just glad that we could close this, and not have to worry about him being out there,’ Ann Marie said.

Friday, Judge Baca agreed to sentence Reyes-Merlos to 6 years in prison and 3 years probation. Both attorneys had agreed upon the additional 2 years but in court, Judge Baca told Reyes-Merlos he’s lucky he’s not facing more time.

“I think that this is probably a little bit more generous than I may have been, honestly, just because he had been on the run for quite some time and had not reported as permitted and I had given you the opportunity to turn yourself in,” Second Judicial District Court Judge Britt Baca said.

But for Dehart’s family, six years isn’t enough.

“Six years for killing someone, even though it wasn’t, you know, first degree murder, it’s negligence,” Hall continued. “Six years will come quick, and we will get the notification that he’s out, and hopefully he will learn his lesson and not speed race. It’s very important that people realize that it’s dangerous.”

Even though the outcome isn’t what they wanted, Dehart’s family hopes they can begin to heal. They also hope the community will hear their story and think twice before speeding, driving recklessly or racing.