In a move that stunned attorneys and the court, the family of the men killed and injured by a driver who drunkenly sped into a bus last summer offered their forgiveness at his sentencing Wednesday.
Markus Jackson and Kenneth Foster's family members told Tyler R. Bjelland, 27, that they forgave him, and urged him to use the experience to save lives.
"I want you to be able to be an advocate … to tell people, 'Don't drink and drive,' " said Foster's best friend, Yolanda Sims.
Ramsey County District Court Judge Sara Grewing said the five people who gave victim-impact statements showed "incredible grace and mercy and compassion."
"It also leads me to believe that you were led by a great man," Grewing said of Foster.
Grewing sentenced Bjelland, of Minneapolis, to 10 years in prison for criminal vehicular homicide, and five years for criminal vehicular operation. The sentences were longer than recommended in state guidelines, and will run concurrently.
Foster was killed in the July 21 crash when Bjelland, who was traveling 91 to 98 mph as he fled an earlier hit-and-run crash, went airborne and sliced through a Metro Transit bus at Charles Avenue and Dale Street.
Foster, 48, was riding the bus home from work. Jackson, 20, was badly injured. He was on the bus to go see his girlfriend.