A man who pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing death in a horrific 2007 crash that killed two best friends was sentenced to just under two years in jail Friday.

Steven Machado and his brother Brian were arrested and charged under the province’s street racing law after Steven’s vehicle slammed into a Pontiac Grand-Am on Highway 50 in Brampton on Oct. 6, 2007, killing the two women inside -- Cynthia Dougherty, 49, and Mariarosa Dalsass, 44.

Dougherty's husband Derrick was traveling just a few car lengths ahead and witnessed the crash.

On Friday, with several of the victims’ family and friends present, a judge sentenced Machado to 21 months in prison and handed down a seven-and-a-half year driving prohibition.

Machado pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal negligence causing death last July, but always maintained he wasn’t racing with his brother when the crash happened. He claimed he’d bent over to pick up a CD when he lost control, traveling 120 kilometres an hour in an 80km/h zone, and veered onto the gravel shoulder, then making it back onto the highway and hitting the vehicle.

In January a judge dismissed any connection to street racing, which could’ve resulted in a six-year sentence.

The families of the victims claimed Machado had no true remorse for his actions and only offered an apology in court to ease his punishment.

His brother Brian will go to trial on the same charges.