A Savannah woman on Monday was sentenced to eight years in prison in the 2012 traffic death of her infant son but will serve the remaining time on probation.
Natasha Tanika Thomas, 30, pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in the Jan. 23, 2012, traffic wreck that killed her month-old son when he was thrown from a 2011 GMC Jimmy on Interstate 16 that hit the Veteran’s Parkway exit guard rail before overturning serving times.
The negotiated sentenced accepted by Chatham County Superior Court Chief Judge Michael Karpf included 16 months on probation under the First Offenders Act.
That means adjudication of guilt was withheld and if Thomas completes her probation without incident, no conviction will appear on her record.
Assistant District Attorney Frank Pennington II told Karpf the case was originally indicted as vehicular homicide by driving under the influence.
But he said further investigation showed Thomas has sickle cell anemia and was taking long-prescribed medications.
Data devices indicated Thomas was driving 75-80 mph in a 55 mph speed zone on a wet roadway when she encountered a severe curb, Pennington said. So the charge was changed to vehicular homicide while driving recklessly.
Circuit Public Defender Michael Edwards, who represented Thomas, said his client spent a year and almost three months in jail awaiting trial so she had completed sufficient time to serve the remaining term on probation.
Chatham County jail records shows Thomas was booked Feb. 12, 2012, and discharged June 5.
Evidence showed the victim was in a car seat but was ejected in the crash and was killed instantly. Several other children were in the car at the time.