A 45-year-old Mt. Vernon man has been sentenced on Thursday to a total of 46 years in prison for first degree murder and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
Robert Lewis was earlier found guilty of the charges by a Jefferson County Jury in connection with the death of 62-year-old Thomas Taylor in March of last year.
Lewis is accused of striking Taylor with a pickup truck in an alley off the 2800 block of Veterans Memorial Drive following an argument. Lewis then fled the scene. Taylor, who was working on his vehicle at the time, was taken to a hospital for treatment but died from the injuries.
Lewis will have to serve 100 percent of the time on the first-degree murder conviction and 50-percent of the time on the leaving the scene of a fatal accident charge.
A charge of aggravated DUI was previously severed from the other two charges and will be tried at a later date.
Assistant State’s Attorney Jennings handled the contested sentencing.
Mt. Vernon Police Chief Roger Brands says while the result of this case will never bring Thomas Taylor back, he hopes it will provide some closure to the family. Brands also hopes this serves as an example and lesson for any aggressor in a road rage type incident. He reports no driving issue or dispute is worth anyone losing a life or going to prison.
