A Philadelphia man was sentenced to 6-20 years in prison Tuesday after admitting to driving under the influence in the crash that killed CHOP Dr. Barbara Friedes last year.

Michael Vahey, 69, pleaded guilty to charges of vehicular homicide, third-degree murder, driving under the influence and involuntary manslaughter, among other charges, his court docket shows.

"This prosecution and sentence should send a message to anyone who gets behind the wheel while intoxicated that this reckless behavior will not be tolerated," District Attorney of Philadelphia Larry Krasner wrote in a statement following the sentencing.

Seven people delivered impact statements before the sentencing, including Friedes' mother, father, brother, sister and CHOP colleagues.

They described Friedes as a shining pillar of this community with a unique passion for healing and helping children.

The type of person who donated blood, donated her hair, and spent Thanksgiving serving people in Philadelphia.

Loved ones said there are countless victims because of Friedes' death, referring to the children she would have treated and the research she was doing for childhood cancer.

Her parents and siblings detailed their never-ending trauma and how losing Friedes has shattered their family.

"She never let down her guard. She never stopped feeling compassion," said John Dietrick, Friedes' father. "She never stopped feeling empathy. She was a true light."

Police said the 30-year-old Friedes was on her bike in the bike lane on Spruce Street near 18th when Vahey, behind the wheel of a Volkswagen, struck her the evening of July 17, 2024. Prosecutors say her body was thrown 144 feet.

According to the DA's office, Vahey was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash and had a BAC of nearly 0.16. The legal limit is 0.08. He was also reportedly traveling over 50 mph, double the speed limit in the area.

Friedes suffered "severe head trauma," police said after the accident, and was taken to Jefferson University Hospital, where she died a short time later.

The assistant district attorney said Vahey lived two blocks from the site of the crash and could have easily walked home from the bar that night.

"Hopefully, the outcome of this case continues to promote safer streets in the city of Philadelphia for everyone," Dietrick said. "That's what my daughter would want more than anything."   

According to the Philadelphia Parking Authority, Friedes was the first cyclist death reported in the city in 2024.

Friedes' death spurred advocacy for better protections for cyclists in the city. Organizations, including the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, said Spruce Street is a popular biking corridor that needs concrete barriers to protect cyclists.

According to her obituary, Friedes was born at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and moved around with her father's Air Force career.

After she graduated from Castle View High School in Castle Rock, Colorado, Friedes attended Florida State University, where she was on the FSU Golden Girls dance team, and later attended Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 

Friedes joined Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in 2021 as a pediatric resident and later became chief resident. 

She met her husband, Dr. Cole Friedes, when they were FSU undergraduates.

"I'd like for her to be remembered as a kind, compassionate and brilliant wife, daughter, sister, friend and physician who dedicated her life to serving others and who was a magnetic and inspiring light," . "We were lucky to be loved by her."

• Philadelphia