Teen gets 8 years in prison in Athens DUI death

ATHENS — A teenager who pleaded guilty to hitting and killing a Clarke County woman as she walked along a road with her 3-year-old son has been sentenced to eight years in prison.

At Thursday’s sentencing, prosecutors said Abel Gonzalez-Perez will be held in a youth detention facility until he turns 17 in September, then will be transferred to adult prison.

Prosecutors said the teen is a native of Mexico who was working illegally in the U.S. He earlier pleaded guilty to first-degree vehicular homicide, DUI and hit-and-run.

Nayasheika “Keisha” Cooper, who was 19, died after being hit from behind in the June 14, 2008, accident.

Judge Steve Jones also ordered Gonzalez-Perez to serve seven years of probation after he is released from prison.