BUFFALO, N.Y. — The driver of a truck who admitted guilt in a deadly Thruway crash that killed a beloved educator from Rochester spoke at his sentencing for manslaughter.

Kristofer Gregorek was driving a commercial truck which smashed into the back of Ellen Volpe's Honda in a construction zone between the Pembroke and Depew exits. Volpe was pronounced dead at the scene.

Troopers said Gregorek, of Saratoga County, was shopping online and filling out a survey. The truck didn't brake and was going at least 70 miles per hour.

Volpe was well-known for her involvement in Rochester-area non-profit groups, including the Boys and Girls Club. The wife and mother of two was 44 years old.

"Because of my decisions on June 8 (2017), she had far, far too little time with them," Gregorek told the court.

"I don't think I can express the pain that fact brings to me, but I, like Ellen, dreamed of parenthood for so long that I am pierced to the core by being the person responsible for cutting that dream so short."