MAYS LANDING--The former pro soccer player from Cape May county, who admitted to killing a man while driving drunk, was sentenced in Superior Court today. He's taken steps to try and prevent others from making the same tragic mistake and says he will live out his life trying to honor the one he recklessly took.

"There is not one day that has gone by that I don't wish that it was me and only me." The heartfelt words from 25 year-old Matthew Maher are directed at the family of the man he killed while drinking and driving. "I though about this moment for a million times and what I would say," he said, "and now matter what, no types of words and no amount of words seemed adequate."

There were many apologies to the family of 54 year-old Hort Kapp, not only from Maher, but also other members of his family. "I'd like to take this time to apologize and offer our deepest condolences," said the defendant's brother, Michael Maher, a lieutenant in the United States Navy, "as hard as this has been on our family, it is no comparison to what you guys have gone through."

Maher, who was a star soccer player from Cape May Court House, said he had made all the right decisions in life to get to the professional level, and erased it all, and an innocent man's life, with one bad decision. "You know how that made me feel? It destroyed my world," yelled Noun Ung, the victim's son.

"Although I was unable to say my farewells before my daddy's passing, I know that he looks down upon us with grace and waits 'til we are all together," said Linda Ung.

Maher said that he has now dedicated his life to righting that tragic wrong, and started trying to do just that in October, when he began presenting his story to local high schools and colleges through the South Jersey Traffic Safety Alliance. In just about two months time, he gave his speech 34 times and reached more than 7,000. "Our staff and I personally feel that this has been the most impressive presentation we've ever seen at any level," said Wayne Shelton, with the SJTSA, "your honor, we know that on March 7, 2009, Matthew was responsible for taking a man's life in an automobile crash. What we will never know is how many lives he may've saved by his subsequent actions."

Today Maher said he would like to continue his program, not only while incarcerated, but even when he's released as a way to try and save lives and to honor the one that he took. "Everything I do from here on out, all the good that I do, will be in memory of your loved one, and in honor of his name," said Maher to the victim's family.

While Maher said he hopes Kapp's family forgives him one day, it came sooner than expected from the victim's oldest son. "No hard feelings," said Noun Ung, and gave Maher a hug.

Maher was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in state prison and said he fully excepts his sentence...noting the pain he has in his heart for what he's done will stay with him for life.

The judge gave Maher credit for time served for each presentation he gave and asked for a list of all the schools where he gave presentations. He said he felt the program was so moving, he wants DVD copies to the ones Maher didn't have time to visit, so all high school students in Atlantic County can hear his powerful message.