After 18 years, the family of 28-year-old Kemal Kolenovic, who was killed in a hit-and-run crash, met face-to-face with the man arrested for killing him.

The family was present inside of a Bronx courtroom, as 42-year-old Ahmet Gashi faced a judge.

Police said it was Dec. 31, 2006 -- just hours before the New Year -- when Gashi got into an argument with 28-year-old Brooklyn man, got into an SUV, drove onto the sidewalk and hit the victim, then drove off.

It happened outside of a Bronx bar near Crescent and Belmont avenues. The victim died at a local hospital.

The NYPD said they tracked Gashi down after they received a tip in April. A warrant was issued, and Gashi was arrested in Kosovo.

“We’ve been waiting since I was a little boy,” said Damir Mujovic, the victim’s cousin, outside the courthouse. “My cousin got murdered when I was 7 years old. Now I’m 25 [years old]. His mother has been waiting for justice. His whole family, everybody behind me, we’ve all been waiting for justice.”

Gashi is charged with murder, manslaughter and reckless endangerment.

He is due back in court Jan. 16.