"I was in tunnel vision:" Jatavious Webster sentenced to 12 years in prison for hit-and-run crash



MILWAUKEE --  His car crashed into another vehicle, killing the passenger -- and he ran away from the scene. Friday, a Milwaukee County judge sentenced 21-year-old Jatavious Webster to 12 years in prison plus another six years of extended supervision.

The courtroom gallery was packed for Webster's sentencing. Two very emotional families filled the seats.

"In my mind you committed the ultimate sin when you left the scene, leaving my son and his fiance fighting for their lives," said the victim's mother.

A very emotional mother spoke at the sentencing of the man whose actions contributed to her son's death. The crash occurred at 76th and Silver Spring on May 22, 2015.

Jatavious Webster



21-year-old Jatavious Webster was the driver of a car that prosecutors say ran a red light and crashed into another vehicle, of which 24-year-old Adrian McGaughy was a passenger.

Webster and three others in his car fled the scene.

McGaughy and his injured girlfriend, whose car he was in, were left behind. McGaughy died at the scene.

Vigil for Adrian McGaughy, killed in crash near 76th and Silver Spring Drive



"Jatavious, you just don't understand like you did leave us there for dead. I had to sit there in the road with my boyfriend and watch him take his last breath," said the victim's girlfriend.

Webster's mother and friends also spoke to the court asking for leniency.

"I want to apologize to the victim's family," said Webster's mother.

And Webster spoke for himself.

"I did it, your honor. I just want the family to know that I'm very sorry for leaving the scene. I didn't leave the scene for a specific reason. I was in a tunnel vision. I was scared," said Webster.

Although leaving the scene of the accident, Webster turned himself in a few weeks later. After initially pleading not guilty, he changed the plea to guilty.

The victim's mother, Deloris McGaughy, told the court too many hit-and-run drivers are getting away with a slap on the wrist.

"When are they going to be held accountable for their actions," said Deloris.

Webster was visibly shaken by the sentence. It breaks down to 12 years in prison, and six years of extended supervision.

The court also ordered Webster to pay $50,000 in restitution.