By Azam Ahmed
Chicago Tribune
CHICAGO — Chicago Police Officer Charlton McKay balled his fists and breathed heavily as he was sentenced to 7 years in prison Friday for fleeing the scene of a 2005 crash in which a 15-year-old pedestrian was killed.
McKay also was convicted of trying to conceal his role in the reckless homicide by filing a false police report claiming his car had been stolen hours before the crash.
Cook County Judge Michael Toomin said McKay, 34, insulted his profession when he blew through a stop sign at 109th Street and Vincennes Avenue, slammed into Edward Lucas, then fled.
“This case does not involve an accident,” said Toomin, who convicted McKay in a bench trial last month. “An accident denotes negligence, and there was more at work here. This case involves recklessness.”
With good behavior, he could serve about half of the sentence.
McKay was stripped of police powers after he was charged. Police spokesman Pat Camden said Friday the department would seek his dismissal.
“It’s closure, but it will never be forgotten because Charlton McKay took something away from me that I will never get back,” Judy Gultney, Lucas’ mother, said after the sentencing.
Lucas’ father, Edward Lucas Sr., said he was worn down after the two-year legal battle.
“It took so much out of me,” he said.
McKay apologized to the family for the “loss of life” but he did not admit guilt.
Testimony indicated the car was traveling at about 50 m.p.h. when it hit Lucas.
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