BARTOW – A man who was driving without a license when he struck and killed a retired police officer in May 2016 was sentenced to more than seven years in prison Thursday.

Albino Contreras, 55, apologized to David Szewczykowski’s family during Thursday’s hearing.

“I’m very sorry for the death of the gentleman,” he said through a Spanish interpreter. “I never thought this would happen in my life. I didn’t do it intentionally. I ask for forgiveness, please.”

Contreras was driving without a license along westbound Deen Still Road when he crossed the center line while negotiating a curve, according to Polk County Sheriff’s Office reports. His 2005 Chevrolet Impala struck the 2010 Harley Davidson motorcycle that Szewczykowski, 68, was driving.

The impact propelled Szewczykowski’s motorcycle into a tree, and he was thrown into a water-filled drainage ditch along the roadside, deputies reported. He died on arrival at Osceola Regional Medical center. Contreras, a native Honduran who came to the United States 12 years ago, wasn’t hurt in the crash. He told authorities at the scene that he didn’t have a driver license, nor had he ever had one in the United States or Honduras.

Other than driving without a license, said Chief Assistant State Attorney Jacob Orr, Contreras' actions didn't rise to the level of any other crime.

After a day of testimony last month, six jurors deliberated about 1½ hours before finding Contreras, of Dade City, guilty of driving without a license resulting in death.

Contreras faced five years in prison for driving without a license, but Circuit Judge Neil Roddenbery chose to follow state sentencing guidelines, which called for 7.5 years because a death was involved.

At Thursday’s sentencing hearing, Szewczykowski’s stepdaughter, Sara Michaels, spoke before Roddenbery on behalf of her family.

“He came here and was given an opportunity so many people wish they had,” she said of Contreras, “and he spit in their faces by not only breaking the law, but taking the life of a man who put his life on the line on a daily basis protecting our freedom as a police officer for more than 25 years.”

Szewczykowski had retired to Davenport after a career as a motorcycle officer in Erie, Pa.

“Mr. Contreras tried to fly under the radar, but it eventually caught up with him,” Michaels said.

She recounted how two high school boys stopped to help her stepfather in the moments after the crash.

“Two young boys who saw my stepdad in that water jumped in to help him while Albino Contreras simply leaned against his car and did nothing,” she told Roddenbery. “No phone call to 911, no offering to help these children help David. Those two children showed more courage, integrity and bravery than a grown man almost three times their age.”

Contreras’ court-appointed lawyer, Bryant Camareno of Tampa, argued that he provides the primary support for his five daughters. Though not educated, he has worked hard to support his family. He also noted that his client cooperated with authorities following the crash.

Contreras’ daughter, testifying through an interpreter Thursday, said the family will be left without support if he’s sent to prison.

“We need him because we are alone,” she said. “I want you to know my dad is a good person.”

Assistant State Attorney Jennifer Van Der Burgh said his children’s dependence on him should have been an incentive for him to abide by the law.

While not identifying Contreras as an illegal alien, which isn’t public record, officials at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement stated this week they have lodged a detainer on Contreras, coupled with a warrant.

However, his prison sentence takes precedence over federal action regarding his citizenship.

Suzie Schottelkotte can be reached at suzie.schottelkotte@theledger.com or 863-533-9070. Follow her on Twitter @southpolkscene.