MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) – Kristine Umberger asked the man who killed her husband and two others, “Why did you not stop?” as she and many others waited to hear the outcome of Patrick Sneddon.

On Thursday, Sneddon was sentenced to 30 years in prison – the max- after he veered off U.S. Highway 6 and killed Colorado Department of Transportation workers Nathan Jones and Trent Umberger, as well as his partner, Kathi Ann Wallace, in September 2024 in Palisade. 

Sneddon didn’t appear to show any remorse during the sentencing hearing, a sentiment shared by friends and family of Jones and Umberger at the proceedings.

Tears were shared by many who spoke in front of Judge Jeremy Chaffin, pleading that he give Sneddon the maximum sentence possible.

Kenneth Lewis, a coworker and friend of Umberger, told the court the “maximum (sentence for Sneddon) is not enough for what happened.”

Michelle Ault, a friend of Kristine Umberger’s, said Sneddon made a “plain, stupid choice.”

Sneddon previously entered a plea agreement to three counts of vehicular homicide while driving under the influence and failure to yield to a stationary public service utility vehicle (Colorado’s Move Over Law). Sneddon had marijuana in his system when the crash occurred.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Robert Fisher said Sneddon does have a criminal history. He was convicted of possession of marijuana and careless driving in 2013. Fisher said this arrest shows Sneddon has a long-standing relationship with the drug.

Wallace, whom Sneddon had referred to as his wife to investigators, was never married to the man, according to Fisher. There is reportedly not one document to show they were ever hitched or even common law married.

Lewis said that his family is worried about him every day he goes to work. He hoped the case would be an example to the world of what happens when anyone who gets behind the wheel intoxicated and strikes someone on the side of the road.

Sneddon was facing anywhere from four to 30 years in prison.