Man sentenced in 2007 hit-and-run

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - An Albuquerque man was sentenced to three years in prison for a 2007 hit-and-run that killed a pedestrian in Albuquerque's South Valley.

Emilio Lozano-Dominguez was sentenced in Bernalillo County District Court on Tuesday.

He was driving a pick-up truck that ran down Frankie Lovato in December 2007.

Before a judge sentenced him, Lovato’s father and friends told the judge how his death has impacted their lives.

“It changed my life completely, all my family, I don't have my son anymore to get up in the morning and kiss me. I don't have my son anymore to hug and kiss me goodnight,” Robert Lovato, the victim’s father said.

Dominguez looked down the entire time those family and friends addressed the court.

Lovato was killed while walking along a dark stretch of Isleta Boulevard with his father.

Dominguez hit the younger Lovato with his pick-up, and then fled the scene.

He turned himself in two days later.

Through a translator, Dominguez told the court and Lovato’s family, he was sorry for what happened.

Still, the grief felt by those who knew and loved Lovato, especially his father is very apparent.

Robert Lovato clutched a photo of his son the entire time and cried.

Lozano-Dominguez is eligible for parole in roughly two years.

Because of the accident, South Valley activists pushed for more street lights.

So far, about 30 lights have been installed on Isleta Boulevard for safety.