WILMINGTON, Del. -- A paraplegic who struck and killed Delaware City Firefighter/Paramedic Michelle Smith was sentenced to life in prison plus 26 years today, according to The News Journal.

Smith was tending to an injured motorcyclist on Dec. 20, 2008 when she was hit by Joseph M. Taye Jr., who was operating his car's pedals with a stick.

The life sentence was a minimum mandatory after Superior Court Judge Jerome O. Herlihy ruled that Smith was a firefighter acting in the line of duty when she was killed.

Taye received the addition 26 years for striking and further injuring the motorcyclist and for fleeing the scene, according to the report.

The courtroom was packed with close to 40 firefighters from eight companies.

Following the ruling, Delaware City Chief Jamie Rosseel said, "I think we all agree justice was served."