Family of cyclist killed offers forgiveness

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - It was something you don't expect to see at a sentencing -- an emotional widow telling the woman who killed her husband that she forgives her, and told her to forgive herself.

"I want to prepare all of you.  What I have to say is full of grit and grace," Sherri Anderson told the court. 

Anderson described what it was like that March day, two years ago when her family, including her husband Dave went for a bicycle ride along Paseo Del Norte near Rio Grande.  That's when a car veered off the road, crashing into Dave Anderson on the bike path .  Sherri thanked all the people who helped that day. 

Then the Anderson family showed a video of Dave Anderson through the years and played a song about forgiveness for Miranda Pacheco,  the woman who was driving the car that crashed into Dave Anderson.  Sherri Anderson spoke to Pacheco.

"Miranda, Miranda, I forgive you!  I really forgive you.  This doesn't mean I excuse what you did but forgiveness is not foolishness Miranda!" Sherri Anderson said.

She told Pacheco she hoped she would teach others her difficult lesson.  Then a sobbing Miranda Pacheco faced the Andersons.  She told them she thinks about them every day.  

"I don't worry about what happens to me.  The tears I cry are not for myself.  I just pray someday you will find it in your hearts to forgive me truly, because I will never be able to forgive myself," Pacheco said.

Pacheco was then sentenced to 90 days in jail -- the maximum for careless driving.  She was tried for vehicular homicide last month, which carries up to six years in prison, but the jury opted for a lighter charge.  

Police say Pacheco was speeding and weaving in and out of traffic when she lost control.  Pacheco claimed someone cut her off.