TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) - Jeffrey Rushing has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of DUI Manslaughter in a 2014 drowning.
In August 2014, Rushing and 20-year-old Jordan Nedeau were drinking at a party, then left together.
Deputies found Rushing passed out the next morning near a business at Woodlane Circle and Capital Circle Northwest. He told deputies he drove into the Ochlockonee River near the end of Tower Road, while Nedeau was still in the car.
The LCSO Dive Team found the car with Nedeau's body inside. An autopsy showed she died from drowning.
Rushing was found guilty in January of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide, and leaving the scene of a crash involving a death.
At the sentencing today, Rushing apologized to Nedeau's family, calling it, "a terrible accident."
Nedeau's family said the pain was still so great.
"I hurt not only for me, but for the weight of the family I have on my shoulders," Nedeau's mother Audrey said at the sentencing.
In addition to 15 years in prison, he will also serve five years probation as well as having to pay restitution to the family. His driver's license was also taken away, but may be returned after probation.
