EDINBURG – After almost two decades, the Maldonado family finally saw the justice they've been waiting for.

Nora Maldonado lost one of her daughters on Nov. 4, 2000. She received a call at midnight.

The person on the other line told her, her two daughters were in involved in an accident. A drunk driver failed to stop and hit their car.

Her oldest, Kristy Maldonado died that night. Kristy’s sister, Crystal, survived but doesn’t remember the accident.

“The last thing I remember was being at a store, from there, everything just got blocked," said Crystal Maldonado.

Crystal lost her better half that day when Jorge Armando Gonzalez’s car hit them as they headed to the movies.

The passenger in Gonzalez’s car also died.

Gonzalez went to jail for both deaths, got out after paying his bond, then failed to show up to court.

“My husband tried to look for him. Every day we would look for him and no luck. He died of a broken heart. He couldn't take it anymore. He said how come they couldn't find him,” said Nora Maldonado.

Gone too soon. The father who tirelessly tried finding the man responsible for his daughter's death didn't see justice play out.

October of last year, Gonzalez was arrested during a traffic stop. This week, he was sentenced to 18 years in jail.

Justice and a bit of peace, yet, the void still remain for the daughter and sister that only live in memories.

Gonzalez was in the country illegally at the time of the accident in 2000.

CHANNEL 5 NEWS looked into the rights of a U.S. citizen, compared to someone who isn't a citizen when it comes to bond.

The United States Constitution details both individuals have the same right.

However, a judge can deny a bond if he or she feels the alleged criminal has the intention to flee or if the crime is severe enough.