Torres had pled guilty in April, and had issues with his probation. He was also charged with a DWI soon after the accident. Now in his early twenties, Torres will be facing seven years for each death, that he will be serving concurrently. 

The sentencing was a long time coming for the Alvarez family, who have waited four years for justice. 

Alex’s brother, Hector Alvarez said the family, including his late brother’s father-in-law,  were relieved more than anything. 

“We didn’t go out there to seek this or that as far as punishment, we wanted the justice system to do its job and we felt at the end that we were comfortable, we respected what the judge sentenced,” said Hector. "He’s going to be incarcerated for seven years [on Friday], our family was sentenced on May 26, 2012, and that’s a life sentence."

Hector described how the family's losses were magnified by the fact that they also worked together. 

"When you know the Alvarez family, you know how tight we were, and how close we had become through the years. During the time of her death, my sister in law, Liliana  worked with me, she was my dental assistant, so you can imagine the impact," said Hector. "It was like an atomic bomb. It was family, it was work, the impact was felt everywhere."

Hector said his parents were affected the most.

"As parents, nobody wants their kids to go before them. They’ve been slowly and steadily trying to recover," said Hector. "The pain will always be there," said Hector," but I think with God in our lives, we can overcome it."

Hector remembers his brother fondly, recalling his helpful personality and involvement in the community.

""He was a great guy, he was my best friend, he was my brother, he was the best uncle you could have,  and the best son. My brother worked with Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center at the time of his death , with the IT department. He really was moving along in that, and was there to help everyone," said Hector. "He was that type of person, he really liked to help wherever he could." 

Alex was also active in the softball community, and was a member of the Esquires team at the time of his passing. 

"He was their third baseman during the time," said Hector. "They were in the playoffs so you can imagine the impact it had on the Esquires players and the softball community as a whole."

Alex's number on the team was 12, and stickers for cars that display the number and "don't text and drive"  were made in his honor.   

"That’s where it comes from, he wore that number twelve, he wore it proudly, it’s a little memento that we’ve done for him," said Hector. "Every time that I see one of those emblems on  a car it makes me even think twice of grabbing that cell phone or taking a 'quick' look."

Alex, like the rest of the Alvarez, was very family oriented.

"For the people that knew them, they know how difficult it was for them to have a family of their own.They tried for quite some time, going in and out of doctors' offices until God blessed them with baby Alex," said Hector. "That was three years before the accident."

Alex began throwing monthly 'birthday' parties for his son, something Hector now sees as a blessing. 

" Alex and Lily had a hard time getting baby Alex in their lives. But once they did, they did not lose much time with him. They would hold monthly birthday parties and I remember teasing Alex about it. Now, looking back on it I think God had a hand in this because they had the opportunity to celebrate many birthdays with Baby Alex in the short three years they were with him."

Hector and his wife now care for "baby Alex," along with their own children. 

"I’m proud to say we’ve taken over the role, and I know that he would’ve done the same thing if the roles were reversed," said Hector. "It’s been something great in our lives that keeps us strong, and I know that my brother and my cuñada from above are looking down, and they know he’s not missing a single beat. He’s following what I know they would’ve wanted, and we’re happy to be able to be there for him." 

Hector hopes that his family's story will send a message of caution to those on the road. 

"Even though it was an accident, we need to know that there are consequences for our actions. Each time that we are behind a wheel, we should think twice before picking up the phone because in the blink of an eye, your life can change just like that young man’s life changed. If your mind is off of what your driving even for split second it can cost you your life or others," said Hector. "We’re living proof of that.”