South Carolina Man Sentenced to 8 Years for Drunk Driving Death

A South Carolina man was sentenced to eight years in prison for a drunken driving crash that killed a 70-year-old neighbor as he stood beside his bicycle.

The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg reported Saturday that 47-year-old David Colter Jr. of Orangeburg pleaded guilty Thursday to felony driving under the influence in the August 2008 death of Freddie McMichael.

Investigators say McMichael was standing on the roadside, waiting for traffic to clear, when Colter’s vehicle struck him. He was on his way home after delivering pecans to friends and family. He died three days later.

McMichael frequently rode his bicycle in the neighborhood to take gifts, and to mow laws and rake leaves for family and friends.