MARYVILLE, Mo. - A 23-year-old man received a six-year prison sentence Wednesday stemming from a 2007 motor vehicle collision that killed a 3-year-old girl.

Ryan Sundermann was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the first degree, a Class C felony. The charge, which carries a maximum of seven years in prison, alleged that Mr. Sundermann recklessly caused the Nodaway County accident that resulted in the death of Abrielle "Abby" Neff. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

According to the charge, Mr. Sundermann failed to maintain proper control of the vehicle, failed to drive on the right half of the road and operated the motor vehicle after having consumed alcohol.

Mr. Sundermann sat motionless Wednesday as Brenda Neff, Abby's mother, read a statement to the court describing the emotional effects of the crash. More than a year after her daughter's death, Ms. Neff said it is still difficult to speak about Abby in the past tense or make it through an entire day without sadness and guilt.

"We did not deserve to live our lives with this pain and without our Abby," Ms. Neff said as she fought back tears.

Ms. Neff asked that a picture of Abby hang on Mr. Sundermann's wall as he serves his sentence. The judge said he didn't have any control over what is in Mr. Sundermann's prison cell.

In his statement to the court, Mr. Sundermann apologized to the Neff family and expressed his regret. "I do think about what I did every day, and I will until I die," he said.

Following the sentencing, Circuit Judge Roger Prokes heard a civil suit brought against Mr. Sundermann by Brenda and Marcus Neff and their 8-year-old daughter, Madyson. The Neffs seek compensation for the emotional, physical and financial effects of the accident and their daughter's death.

James Bell, attorney for the Neffs, requested more than $10 million for damages Ms. Neff and Madyson suffered in the motor vehicle collision and Abby's wrongful death. Mr. Prokes granted the Neffs almost $4 million.

Ruthie Wake, Abby's aunt, said that since Abby's death, the Neffs have created a foundation in her name that provides toys, crayons and coloring books to young children in the hospital. They also are working on a program called Abby's Garden that will provide schools with outdoor classrooms. Ms. Wake said both programs are a way for the Neffs to move forward, and that Mr. Sundermann's apology also may help that process.

"I think the family will start having a little closure now," she said. "... You can never bring her back."