CASTLE ROCK, Colo. (KDVR) – A Douglas County judge sentenced a man to life in prison on Thursday for the 2024 death of a U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel.

Paul Wayne Stephenson, 57, was convicted for a DUI crash that killed Matt Anderson, 39, who was a combat veteran and devout father.

Stephenson was also given an additional 92 years for the crash that left Anderson's children hurt.

After spending the day at the Douglas County Fair, the Anderson family stopped for gas at a 7-Eleven located at Plumb Creek Parkway and Perry Street.

The video released by the 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s office shows a pickup truck moving through traffic and then heading into that convenience store parking lot, where Anderson was pumping gas into his family’s vehicle.

The pickup truck then crashed into the gas pumps and Anderson's car, at a high rate of speed.

Anderson was pumping gas when he was killed.

Other videos in the hearing, showed Castle Rock Police officers helping several of Anderson’s children who were injured. One of those officers fought back tears while trying to describe the efforts to help the bloodied children moments after the crash.

The district attorney used an aggressive DUI charge that includes first degree murder with extreme indifference, stating Stephenson drank a bottle of Fireball Whiskey and two beers before the crash. He then got behind the drivers seat to "look for more alcohol" when the fatal crash occurred.

This was the third time Stephenson was convicted of a DUI.

Several people gave impact statements including a member of the Air Force, Anderson’s wife, sisters and father.

“I hope this sends a message to people that just go out and get all drunk up and get in their car, truck, or whatever, and go drive somewhere. He killed a guy. He killed him,” Anderson’s father, Wayne Anderson, said after the hearing.

The judge in the case sentenced Stephenson to life in prison without parole plus 92 years for all the charges which also included attempted murder and child abuse.

“This is a good sentence. This is a good sentence because we're here because the defendant did not care. He didn't care whose life he took. He didn't care who he got injured. He didn't care what was left behind. But luckily for all of us, what was left behind was an incredibly strong family,” stated 23^rd Judicial Senior Deputy District Attorney Nate Marsh.

During the hearing, videos and pictures showing Anderson, in a green military jump suit, leaving the Douglas County Fair last summer. He was smiling and pushing a stroller with one of his children in it. 

That was just 10 minutes before he was killed. 

Back in the courtroom, Stephenson never offered an apology for killing Anderson. He spoke out in court saying the trial was unfair.

District Court Judge Victoria Klingensmith spoke sternly to Stephenson saying the defendant continued to make the case all about him and then ultimately gave him his life sentence.