TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The man who disappeared after being convicted in a hit-and-run crash that killed a Rickards High student has been sentenced to 45 years in prison.
Deontae Johnson, 26, was convicted of vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a crash involving death and three counts of leaving the scene of a crash involving personal injury.
He was sentenced to 45 years in the Florida Department of Corrections on Wednesday.
A man convicted in a deadly hit-and-run crash who disappeared during his trial has turned himself in.
Deontae Johnson, 26, surrendered to U.S. Marshals on Friday at the Old Florida Highway Patrol Academy in the 2900 block of Ridgeway Street in Tallahassee.
Helped by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Task Force members and K9 units, Johnson was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Leon County Jail for booking.
Johnson was found guilty Tuesday in a fatal hit-and-run crash just after midnight on December 26, 2016.
A $5,000 reward for information that lead to Johnson's arrest was being offered by U.S. Marshals.
U.S. Marshals are offering up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest of a man who disappeared from court right before being found guilty in a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed a Rickards High student.
Deontae Johnson was found guilty Tuesday in a fatal hit-and-run crash just after midnight on December 26, 2016.
Court documents say Johnson was recorded going 91 mph through the intersection of West Tennessee Street and Appleyard Drive before crashing into a car driven by 17-year-old Tyriq Roberts.
Johnson then fled the scene. He was later arrested and charged with vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a crash involving death and injury, among other charges.
Monday, Johnson was found guilty on charges of vehicular homicide, failure to render aid, and leaving the scene of an accident.
After the court took a lunch break, the state attorney's office says Johnson never returned. U.S. Marshals say Johnson cut off his court ordered GPS monitor. A warrant has now been issued for his arrest.
Whether he is in court or not, Johnson will be sentenced on March 19 at 1:30 p.m.
U.S. Marshals say they are offering up to $5,000 for information that leads to Johnson's arrest. At this time, they believe Johnson is still in Leon County, though they say they are pursing several leads.
