A 21-year-old Nipomo man who, while drunk, crashed into and killed a cyclist from England last year in rural Arroyo Grande was sentenced to four years in prison Wednesday in San Luis Obispo Superior Court.

Judge Barry LaBarbera sentenced Aaron Ceja after emotional, detailed statements about the life and work of 26-year-old David Williams from Williams' father and sister.

LaBarbera sentenced Ceja to a lower prison term than the possible 10 years in prison he faced.

Ceja did not have a criminal background, which the judge considered.

He had visited his biological father for the first time in 16 years shortly before the wreck that killed Williams on June 25, 2011 along Halcyon Road near the Nipomo Mesa.

Ceja's father provided him with beer and he had a blood alcohol level of about 0.17 percent percent — more than three times the legal limit for somebody under 21 (Ceja was 20 at the time).

Bill Williams, David's father, and Laura Williams, his sister, spoke about the effect David Williams’ death has had on them.

David Williams was a medical student in England who had devoted himself to several humanitarian causes, including work with disabled children and an orphan. David Williams also donated blood and hoped to become a pediatrician, Bill Williams said.

Bill Williams urged Ceja to “never, never” drink and drive again. He also urged him to speak to high school students upon his release about his mistake.

Ceja addressed the Williams family in court, apologizing to them, saying he’d dedicate “the rest my life to helping people less fortunate in memory of David.”

Bill Williams, who’d supported the maximum jail term of 10 years, said “thank you” in response to Ceja.