by Jolene Toves

Guam - A man who killed his child after driving drunk was sentenced in the Superior Court of Guam this afternoon. And while whatever punishment a court of law determines is suitable for him will pale in comparison to the burden he's got to carry in his memories for the rest of his life, he's trying to atone for his mistakes by helping others to not make the same decisions he did.

A remorseful Marco Nelson sat in tears as his wife Catherine Airmasa took the stand pleading with Judge James Canto for mercy in the sentencing of her husband for vehicular homicide Airmasa said, "He was a father he was very good to his family my family", adding that their daughter was very close to Nelson.

In October 2012 Nelson was drunk when he took police on a high speed chase that ended tragically when he slammed into a concrete utility poll at the Barrigada tri-intersection.

The whole time his 4-year old daughter was in the backseat-not properly restrained. She died a day later at the hospital.

Nelson entered a guilty plea to vehicular homicide while intoxicated as a first degree felony.

As part of his plea agreement he agreed to cooperate fully with GPD, the AG's Office and the Office of Highway Safety in the production of public service announcements in both English and Chuukese. The PSA's are aimed at education the community about the harsh and irreversible realities of drunk driving and the importance of properly restraining children in child safety seats.

Guam Crimestoppers coordinator and police Officer Paul Tapao told KUAM News, "We had asked Mr. Nelson to help convey the message on the importance of drinking and driving and the consequences of that happen unfortunately what had happen to him he's actually seen that he lost his daughter and is actually being charged with vehicular homicide. We want to hit the masses where we felt that is not understanding the importance and the consequences of that can happen and with Mr. Nelson we actual see him as the vehicle and driving the message to our brothers and sister in Micronesia about what can and will eventually happen."

Nelson faced five to fifteen years in prison, and was sentenced to eight years in prison with credit for time served.