Man pleads guilty to hitting, killing school crossing guard
COBB COUNTY, Ga. - Monday, a judge sentenced a man accused of hitting and killing a Cobb County school crossing guard last year.
Lamonte Whitaker entered a guilty plea in a Cobb County courtroom as part of a non-negotiated plea deal.
Judge Steve Schuster accepted the plea and sentenced Whitaker to five years to serve and a stiff probation to immediately follow the prison time.
"He will never be able to get a license," Cobb County Judge Steve Schuster said. "He will never be able to drive again."
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At the time of the accident, Whitaker was a driver for Uber and Taxi.
Last November, Whitaker was speeding through a school zone when he hit and killed 63-year-old Edna Umeh as she directed traffic outside of Lindley Middle School.
"My sister didn't deserve to be plowed down like she was a piece of grass in the way of a lawnmower," Edna Umeh's sister Toni Hunt said.
Also sharing emotional impact statement was Umeh's son.
"I stopped her that day to tell her that I love her," Umeh's son Rahim said. "I didn't know it would be the last time I would ever see my mom."
Umeh was pronounced dead at the scene. Whitaker had to be cut from his vehicle before being taken to Grady Memorial Hospital to be treated for injuries.
On the stand, Whitaker said it was a terrible accident.
"I didn't mean for it to happen," Lamonte Whitaker said. "I fell asleep. I am so sorry family. I didn't mean for this to happen."