A drunk Mercedes driver who hit and killed a grandfather in Melbourne has been jailed for four years.
Stephen Papagelou sat and sobbed in the County Court while hearing his fate for killing 73-year-old Henry Ekselman while he was crossing Chapel Street in Prahran.
Papagelou was drunk behind the wheel when he sped around the car in front to catch up with friends travelling in another vehicle.
That’s when Papagelou struck Mr Ekselman, who later died in hospital.
Papagelou, 29, was supported in court by his family.
During sentencing, he appeared remorseful and was extremely emotional.
Papagelou was handed a non-parole period of two years.
He has no prior convictions, which the judge took into consideration during sentencing.
The Ekselman family released a statement following the verdict.
“Dad was vibrant, health and full of life,” the statement said.
“A loving and caring father, grandfather, stepfather and husband. We miss him every day.”
This content first appear on 9news