A man who pleaded guilty to driving into a group of people watching a street race was sentenced to about 15 years in prison.
Darren Bullock, 21, of Waldorf, Md., pleaded guilty to eight counts of vehicular manslaughter in the deaths of eight people. His sentencing was delayed until the end of the trial of Tavon Taylor, 20, also of Waldorf. Taylor was convicted Monday of reckless driving and engaging in a speed contest -- both punishable by fines of no more than $1,000 -- but the jury was hung over eight counts of vehicular manslaughter.
At about 3 a.m. Feb. 16, 2008, Bullock drove into a group of street racing fans along an isolated stretch of Route 210 in Accokeek while he and Taylor were racing each other, authorities said. The victims ranged in age from their 20s to their 60s.
The fans had spilled into the road to watch two other cars race off when they were hit from behind. Bullock and Taylor weren't part of the event that the fans had gone to watch.
Bullock's parents told News4 their son was not racing but was speeding and felt he needed to take responsibility for the deaths.
Taylor will be sentenced for his traffic violations at another time. A retrial on the vehicular manslaughter charges was set for Oct. 18.
