Man Pleads Guilty in Deadly Accident That Killed a Douglas County Teen

A Douglas County man was sentenced to jail time for buying alcohol for minors and leaving the scene of a deadly car crash on Wednesday.

Dustin Willis, 22-years-old, wept before the judge and the victim's family, telling them he was sorry for his actions. The judge sentenced him to 15 years, nine of those years to be served behind bars.

Cheyenne Sauls, 16, was killed when a car full of teens crashed in Douglas County. Georgia State troopers said Jason Lark lost control of his SUV on Pleasant Drive, killing Sauls and injuring two others. Authorities said Sauls was thrown from the SUV and killed. Lark pleaded guilty last year.

Willis was charged with homicide in the first degree and serious injury by vehicle for his role in the February 2011 death of Sauls. Authorities said Willis was a passenger during the wreck and fled the scene before police arrived. They said he also purchased alcohol for the teens.

Willis' attoeys negotiated a plea deal with the Douglas County District Attoey.

"The message here is mammas and daddys need to watch their babies. This is just a group of young people that made some foolish decisions. Drinking and driving don't mix. Obviously it's sad. The lesson for young people is the consequences to their decisions. Young people need to be reminded of that constantly," said Douglas County District Attoey David McDade.

McDade says the scope of the case is large. Several other teens have been charged in connection with the incident, as well as a parent and grandparent for buying and permitting alcohol to be consumed. A store owner is also charged with fuishing alcohol.