ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI - A Grand Haven woman who smoked marijuana before causing a crash that killed a Holland couple was sentenced Monday, April 20, to at least four years, nine months in prison.

Ciara Byers, 23, caused a June 1 crash that killed Robert Kammeraad, 69, and his wife, Susan, 66, who were riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle on M-40 near Babylon Road.

Byers had swerved into the oncoming lane to avoid striking a vehicle that stopped to make a turn. She did not see a vehicle stopped ahead, waiting to turn left. At the last moment, she swerved into the oncoming lane to avoid the stopped vehicle and collided with the Kammeraads, Allegan County sheriff's deputies said.

Robert and Susan Kammeraad

Family and friends of both the victims and the suspect packed Allegan County Circuit Judge Margaret Zuzich-Bakker's courtroom.

Related: Family of Holland couple killed in crash 'beyond devastated'



Related: Grand Haven woman admits using marijuana before double-fatal crash

The judge sentenced Byers to 57 to 180 months in prison and considered exceeding guidelines. She said if she did, it would only result in the state Court of Appeals returning the case for re-sentencing.

The sons of the victims said their parents were devoted to their family, their faith and helping others all over the world. Robert Kammeraad had spent nine months in Louisiana helping victims of Hurricane Katrina.

"Your parents sound like amazing people," Zuzich-Bakker said. "Our community was blessed with them. You were blessed with them."

Byers, who wept throughout the sentencing hearing, said: "There have be a lot of times I've wanted to kill myself."

She turned to the victims' family and apologized. Some questioned her sincerity after she allegedly talked on social media about using marijuana after the crash.

"I wish I could do anything to bring your family back," she said.

The judge said: "You killed two people because you were under the influence of marijuana. It's that simple."

John Agar covers crime for MLive/Grand Rapids Press E-mail John Agar: jagar@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ReporterJAgar