A driver involved in a fatal collision with a cyclist in Cambridge two years ago pleaded guilty to motor vehicle homicide Thursday, bringing closure to a case that highlighted the risks faced by urban cyclists. Junming Zhu, 28, admitted to causing the death of 62-year-old John Corcoran, who was riding an electric bicycle near the Boston University boathouse on Memorial Drive in September 2024.

At a hearing in Cambridge District Court, a judge sentenced Zhu to one year in jail, part of a two-and-a-half-year sentence with the remaining time suspended. His driver’s license was revoked for 15 years. Zhu remained silent as he was led from the courtroom in handcuffs.

Corcoran’s family expressed mixed feelings following the verdict. Barbara Bower, Corcoran’s widow, said the family was “relieved” that Zhu would serve jail time but noted, “Nothing’s going to bring John back.” She also appreciated the support from the cycling community. The family periodically visits a white “ghost bike” memorial at the site of the crash, where bystanders leave flowers and mementos.

The court heard testimony from grieving family members, including Corcoran’s son, Jack, who described the profound impact of losing his father. “Without him, each of us is lonelier than we ever have been,” Jack said, recalling his father as an “incredible, wonderful man.” He detailed the financial and emotional toll of the legal process over the past two years. Christine Corcoran, testifying remotely, spoke of missing her father during significant moments such as her college graduation.

Zhu had initially pleaded not guilty when arraigned in July 2023. Prosecutors sought a two-and-a-half-year jail term, recommending 18 months to be served with the rest suspended. In contrast, Zhu’s defense requested probation, citing his clean criminal record and family responsibilities, including caring for a young nephew at his home in Malden.

Corcoran’s death sparked renewed attention to cyclist safety in Cambridge, marking the third fatal incident involving cyclists in the city in 2024. Two other cyclists were killed in June after being struck by box trucks. Advocates intensified calls for roadway safety improvements, leading the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation to announce $1.5 million in upgrades, including widened sidewalks, a raised shared-use path along the riverside, and a reduced speed limit of 25 mph on the Boston University bridge corridor.

At the sentencing, members of the cycling community, some wearing high-visibility vests, gathered in support, voicing relief that Zhu would face jail time. Zachary Yaro, a volunteer with Cambridge bicycle safety, noted the rarity of such consequences for drivers involved in fatal collisions with pedestrians and cyclists. “The way that our system has treated motor vehicle violence, we really weren’t sure what the outcome would be,” he said.

Evidence presented at the hearing established that Zhu’s SUV veered off Memorial Drive, mounting the curb and striking Corcoran on the narrow sidewalk. Zhu told police at the scene that he lost control after noticing an apparent insect inside the vehicle and denied using his cellphone.

Cyclist advocates expressed hope that Corcoran’s death would prompt proactive safety measures rather than reactive ones. Nathan Phillips, a cycling advocate from Newton, said, “Unfortunately, the de facto policy is blood has to be shed for safety improvements to be made. We need to be more proactive.”