Sentencing in hit-and-run case that injured Officer Vrtochnick

MILWAUKEE -- Juan Alvarado was sentenced Monday, August 6th to 10 years in prison with 10 years of extended supervision. Alvarado had pleaded no contest to charges of first-degree reckless injury and first-degree reckless endangerment for a hit and run crash that critically wounded Milwaukee police officer Frank Vrtochnick Christmas night, 2011.

The hit and run crash occurred near 17th and Windlake Ave on Milwaukee's south side.

Vrtochnick was apparently standing on the grass when the approaching vehicle struck him from behind. Vrtochnick was thrown into the air, flipped around and landed face first 30 to 40 feet away, near a street sign. Officials say Alvarado then fled the scene. He was later arrested in Chicago.

In pleading no contest, Alvarado admitted to the court he drove the wrong way down a southside street and struck Officer Vrtochnick. Alvarado told officers after his arrest he was on a two-day drinking binge before the accident.

During sentencing, the judge had some words for Alvarado.

"I say cowardly because your duty as a citizen under our laws is to stop and give aid and assistance once you're involved in an accident. To not do that is cowardly," Judge Dennis Moroney said.

Officer Vrtochnick spoke with FOX6 News after he received a purple star for what happened on Christmas night.

"Rehabilitating to the best of my ability to get back to the department," Vrtochnick said.

In his first comments to the media since the accident, Vrtochnick - the still injured former U.S. Army Ranger thanked his loved ones and extended police family.

"All the support they've shown since the event and up to this point - it's unbelievable," Vrtochnick said.

Alvarado faced up to 40 years in prison in the case. Vrtochnick still faces additional surgeries in his ongoing recovery.

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