"I'm just completely sorry:" Kevin Hutchins sentenced to 9 1/2 years after chase, crash

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Dramatic video tells part of the story. On Monday, July 28th -- a Milwaukee County judge told the rest. 41-year-old Kevin Hutchins was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in prison -- plus another five years of extended supervision. This, after he pleaded guilty in June to leading Sheriff's deputies on a dramatic high-speed chase in Milwaukee County in October 2013.

Hutchins faced a long list of charges in the case. He pleaded guilty to three of them -- and four were dismissed.

Hutchins initially faced the following charges:

Two Sheriff's deputies were injured when Hutchins crashed his vehicle on Highway 41 at the Stadium Interchange -- ending the high-speed chase.

It began around 2:45 a.m. on October 29th, 2013 -- when a Sheriff's deputy saw a car driving southbound in the northbound lanes of Mayfair Rd. The driver, Hutchins, would not pull over, so a pursuit began.

The chase was on the highway and city streets — and reached 109 m.p.h. Hutchins' vehicle exited I-94 at S. 70th St., re-entered the freeway at 68th St., and again exited at S. Hawley Rd. to Vliet St.

Officials say the pursuit ended when Hutchins got on Highway 41 at the Stadium Interchange — and crashed into yellow barrels and the median wall. Hutchins’ vehicle went airborne and collided with a deputy’s squad, striking the front window and injuring the deputy.

That deputy wept in court on Monday during Hutchins' sentencing -- as he watched video from that October night.

Scott Griffin can no longer work as a Sheriff's deputy.

"The psychological effects have been devastating. The understanding I had of myself, my world, and my place in it were totally destroyed. I felt victimized by my injuries and the relentless pain. I became withdrawn, fearful, paranoid and a host of other emotions," Griffin said.

Griffin says his traumatic brain injury and spinal injury changed his life.

"In my absolute weakest moments, I contemplated suicide, and I wondered if I and my family would have been better off if I died in the crash instead of living in constant agony and despair," Griffin said.

Another deputy involved in the pursuit tried to avoid hitting the debris from the crash — which caused him to crash. That deputy was taken to Froedtert Hospital for treatment. That deputy suffered a broken right foot (shattered heel), back and neck pain and an air bag burn.

An additional deputy was treated for pain to a wrist and shoulder.

The total distance of the pursuit was 6.8 miles. Authorities say Hutchins was observed swerving in and out of lanes, running red lights and cutting off a semi-trailer during the chase.

When he drove drunk, Hutchins' lawyer says Hutchins was out on bail on sexual assault charges, and was trying to kill himself.

Hutchins spoke in court during his sentencing.

"First of all, words cannot express Mr. Griffin, the pain I've put you through and the sorrow I feel for you and your family. You can never replace me changing your life, Sir. I'm just completely sorry for it. I let you down. I let the city of Milwaukee down," Hutchins said.

Hutchins told the judge he deserves to be punished. He said he wants treatment, and the tools to change.

"I want to be able to walk away from it head-on. Sober. Like a man. Not like a child," Hutchins said.

A criminal complaint filed against Hutchins in the case says after the chase and crash, Hutchins continued to be uncooperative.

Officials had to break a window to gain entry to Hutchins' vehicle, and the criminal complaint in the case says Hutchins grabbed the steering wheel and refused to let go.

Officials had to cut Hutchins' seat belt in order to remove him from the vehicle, according to the complaint.

As he was being removed from the vehicle, the complaint indicates Hutchins was physically resisting and yelling obscenities at the law enforcement officers.

Officials say Hutchins had a strong odor of alcohol, red glassy eyes and slurred speech, according to the complaint. He was taken to the hospital for treatment of cuts and shoulder and neck pain -- and also for a blood draw.

While at the hospital, officials say Hutchins continued to be combative and refused a blood draw. Thus, a search warrant was obtained.

The complaint indicates he scratched a nurse with his potentially bloody nails, puncturing his gloves and, prosecutors say, putting the man's health at high risk.

CLICK HERE to read more stories about Hutchins and the case against him.