I'll never forget Sunday, July 2nd, 2006. Neither will two families -- one from Madison, one from Michigan -- who still barely know each other but are connected by that very day.

Flashback to that Sunday. We were in the newsroom around 4:30 when our editor/photographer Frank Stamper called. At the time he was shooting video of the Madison Regatta for sports, but said nothing on the phone about the race.

"A car just drove into the crowd," Frank told our assignment editor Deandra VanCleave. "I think someone may be dead".

Calmly, Deandra finished the conversation, called Jefferson County (Indiana) dispatch, gained a few more details and started our newsroom to work. Anchor Tim Seymour was on the air ten minutes later, I was on my way to Madison with photographer Steven Richard, and, if you've followed the story, the rest is history - ten people went to hospital; three were critically injured, one (Michigan native Jennifer Willette) eventually needed her left arm and left leg amputated. Then 18-year old Michael Bowen of Madison admitted to being that driver, confessing he was high on freon and smoked pot the night before.

Flash forward to Thursday, July 19th, Bowen's sentencing in Jefferson County Superior Court. Court started at 10 a.m. in Judge Fred Hoying's office.

The courtroom was small: No bigger than your boss's office and painted in an 80's baby blue; only about 30 wooden chairs for friends, family and media. Willette showed with her family, as did Bowen family, sitting in row one, the Willette's in row two, no more than a foot from each (the room was so crowded Jennifer, now in a wheelchair, squeezed in between rows one and two). I couldn't sense tension, but I can't imagine being easy sitting so close to each other.

I've covered this story many times, but have never seen Michael Bowen in person (only his mugshot, which made him look much different). Bowen is a baby-faced kid, clean shaven, short hair, around 5'10", and this day he never came close to a smile. Michael didn't speak (save the occasional "yes" or "no" when Judge Hoying asked a question) but after the attorneys told Hoying the plea agreement (four years in jail; Hoying later reduced that to three plus a year split between probation and in-home detention) Pattison read a letter Bowen wrote to the victims.

"The thought of a prison sentence scares me," Pattison read, "but my biggest fear is facing the people I hurt".

Bowen's letter said he was sorry for what happened, that he didn't remember what happened before the accident. As Pattison read, Bowen dabbed his eyes with a Kleenex, as did his mother in the first row. Willette's family sat silent in the back row.

Then testimony started.

First doctor Eric Davis from University of Louisville Hospital, who said Willette "with the extent of her injuries is lucky to be alive". Dr. Davis said Willette needed 35 pints of blood the first 24 hours (Davis said that would deplete most hospitals; fortunately, University Hospital is next to Red Cross); suffered 26 surgeries in two months; and acquired infections, some with a 90% fatality rate. Willette's family wept quietly, while Bowen's eyes grew redder as he continued to dab his Kleenex.

Then Bowen's friend Cory Luedeman, who said he was a passenger with Bowen the day of the accident, claiming Bowen "was foaming at the mouth and passed out with his foot on the accelerator" before the car plowed into the crowd. Luedeman said he tried to wake Bowen, to no avail. Willette's family continued to cry softly.

Then came Willette's sister, who said she had to delay her wedding because she wants Jennifer to be in it. She told the court "At 24 years old, my life is on hold, as is my sister's. Michael Bowen is a menace to society. He deserves nothing but the harshest sentence".

And then Jennifer's mother, Sarah Lynn Willette, who told the court she received a call in Michigan (the Willette's home) saying her husband was seriously hurt, and that her daughter wouldn't survive. She asked a Priest to be with her husband and daughter until she arrived from Michigan.

"This was no accident," She read to the court in a prepared statement. "It was planned and calculated".

As she read, Bowen continued to dab his eyes with the Kleenex.

For a courtroom filled with two grieving families, both kept their composure -- each was so well composed Judge Hoying even complimented them, saying "I know it's a difficult setting, but I commend you on how calm you've been and the decorum you've shown".

My shift ended at 1, so photographer Pete Ruiz drove back to Madison while Tim Seymour and photographer Jamie Devere covered the day's finish. Jennifer Willette did testify, showing his prosthetic limbs and injuries to the court. Judge Hoying sentenced Bowen in early afternoon, sending him to jail and revoking his license five years. Hoying told him:

"I know it may be tough not having your license, but at least you're still able to drive".

So, Bowen will be in jail until he's 22, and won't drive until he's 27. The Willette family will return to Michigan and try to move beyond this whatever way they can.

Neither family will forget July 2nd, 2006. But July 19th, 2007 helped them, in some way, move beyond that day.