An Iraq war veteran from Madison will spend 13 years in prison, after he was convicted of driving drunk and causing a crash that killed three University of Minnesota students.

32-year-old Bradley Erickson was tearful as he spoke Tuesday in Dane County court and apologized to the families of the victims. Erickson promised to do whatever he can to prevent other families from experiencing the pain he has caused them.

AUDIO: Bradley Erickson (:17)

The students were killed in October of 2010 when Erickson’s car crashed into their vehicle. The vehicle was parked in a median along the Interstate near the Town of Burke in Dane County because of a flat tire.

Prosecutors say Erickson’s vehicle hit with so much force that two of the victims were found barefoot. Their shoes and socks were knocked off by the impact.

Robin Colbert, WIBA

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