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Former Pro Soccer Player Sentenced for New Jersey DUI Fatality

Matthew Maher, the 25-year-old former pro soccer player from New Jersey’s Cape May County who admitted to killing a man while driving drunk, was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in state prison. Before sentencing, Maher took steps to educate others about the dangers of drinking and driving. He says he will spend the rest of 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,” Maher said. "I thought about this moment a million times and what I would say, and now matter what, no types of words and no amount of words seemed adequate."

Maher and other members of his family apologized for the loss of 54-year-old Hort Kapp. “I’d like to take this time to apologize and offer our deepest condolences…as hard as this has been on our family, it is no comparison to what you guys have gone through," said the defendant's brother, Michael Maher, a lieutenant in the United States Navy.

Matthew Maher said he had made all the right decisions in life to get to the professional level in soccer, and then 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.

In October, Maher began presenting his story to local high schools and colleges through the South Jersey Traffic Safety Alliance. In about two months, he gave his speech 34 times and reached more than 7,000 people.

"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,” Shelton continued.

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, while giving Maher a hug.

Maher said he fully excepts his sentence, noting that 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 sent to the schools Maher didn't have time to visit, so all high school students in Atlantic County can hear his powerful message.