Court hearings, sentences and apologies won't bring back Gerri Best.

But her twin sister, Carrie Kirkham, said all of those things help bring closure.

On Thursday three years after the 28-year-old mother died, the trucker responsible for the crash faced Judge William Shaffer in Butler County Court.

Jose D. Lopez Pinedo, 33, pleaded no contest to homicide by vehicle, and was sentenced to serve 42 months of probation.

Assistant District Attorney Ben Simon told Judge Shaffer there were issues with the evidence that prompted a lessor sentencing offering as part of a plea arrangement.

Lopez Pinedo's attorney, Steven Misko, told the judge that it's possible evidence that could have helped his client was destroyed after the October 2012 collision, but before state police filed the charges.

The 2000 Freightliner tractor-trailer Lopez Pinedo was driving and its trailer were released to the owner's insurance company, which scrapped both. Misko said there was never a chance to examine the vehicle, especially the brakes.

“I'm not happy with that,” Kirkham said. “But I got want I wanted today ... (Lopez Pinedo) apologized.”

The collision occurred Oct. 10, 2012. Lopez Pinedo was driving a rig with a load he'd picked up in Karns City.

Court records say he ran a flashing red light and stop signs at the intersection of routes 268 and 68 known as Kepples Corner.

The truck hit the passenger side of a Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Brian D. Altman Jr. of Rimersburg.

Best in the car died at the scene. Altman's then 2-year-old son, Skylar, was seriously injured. Altman survived.