FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — A Fresno County judge sentenced 31-year-old Jamie McKenzie to one year in jail and three years of probation in connection with a deadly hit-and-run crash that killed Marvin Johnson Jr. in central Fresno.

McKenzie appeared in court wearing a green jumpsuit and handcuffs for the sentencing hearing. Prosecutors said the crash occurred in July, when Johnson was riding his motorcycle home from a job with Amazon.

During the hearing, McKenzie addressed the court for the first time, reading a letter she wrote.

“I got scared panicked and left the scene once I got home, I started to think and came to my senses, realizing that running was not the right thing to do,” McKenzie said. “I am extremely saddened and remorseful and wish I could undo that night.”

According to statements made in court, McKenzie contacted her attorney about seven days after the crash but was not taken into custody for 21 days. Her defense attorney argued he was responsible for the delay in coming forward, saying he advised McKenzie to remain silent until there was enough evidence.

“We tried to contact the police several times by phone. They indicated there was nothing they could do for us at that point,” the defense said.

Johnson’s family and loved ones filled the courtroom and urged the judge to impose the maximum sentence of four years.

“I wake up every day having to face the reality that he is no longer here,” said Daryl Johnson, Marvin’s wife.

Johnson’s mother, Hazel Ashford, also addressed the court.

“She had that night. She had the next day, the next day. It took 20 days for her to be in custody. That’s not showing remorse for me, my son, or my family,” Ashford said.

After hearing from both Johnson’s family and Mckenzie’s defense team, Judge Rai Singh Badhesha imposed a sentence of one year in jail and three years of probation.

“I do believe the defendant has acted honestly. Perhaps a little bit late, but has acted honestly and shown some remorse,” Badhesha said.

The ruling brought an emotional reaction from Johnson’s family, who said they were disappointed by the outcome.

“Very disappointed, no justice. She could go home to her kids. My grandkids, their daddy, he’s gone forever,” Ashford said after the hearing.

Prosecutors said afterward they were also disappointed with the sentence, noting that it was less than the recommendation made by probation, which called for at least two years.

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