NJ Man Cleared of Homicide Charges, Gets 7 Years for Leaving Scene

A judge has sentenced a southern New Jersey man cleared of vehicular homicide to 7 years in prison for leaving the scene of a crash that claimed the life of a teen on a bike.

Wednesday, Dec 5, 2012 | Updated 10:37 AM EDT

Man Cleared of Homicide Charges, Sentenced to 7 Years

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A judge has sentenced a southern New Jersey man cleared of vehicular homicide to 7 years in prison for leaving the scene of a crash that claimed the life of a teen on a bike.

William Simkins was accused of driving into 16-year-old Jacob Broschard in revenge for vandalizing his parked car in Egg Harbor Township in 2010. A jury convicted him of the lesser charge in September.

The Press of Atlantic City reports the 33-year-old told the judge during sentencing Tuesday that he wasn't trying to hurt anyone.

But the dead teen's father told the court that was "real tough to swallow."

Simkins will lose his driver's license for two years once he's released.