Thomas Gallagher, 18, entered an Alford plea Thursday to the charge of leaving the scene of an accident causing great bodily injury in a 2010 accident that severely injured a Waccamaw High football player.
In an Alford Plea, the defendant does not admit guilt, but admits there's enough evidence for a conviction.
Gallagher hit Jasonn Russell, 16, August 28, 2010, while Russell was walking to the beach with his friends.
Gallagher left the scene, but was charged by Highway Patrol two days later when he turned himself in.
Judge Benjamin Culbertson sentenced Gallagher to three years probation through the SC Department of Corrections. Judge Culbertson also stipulated that Gallager must stay in school.
Russell suffered three broken ribs, brain trauma and a large chest wound from the accident.
Russell's mother addressed Judge Culbertson before sentencing. She read a letter she wrote detailing her family's account of what had happened to them since the accident. She said it wasn't for her family to decide how much time he should serve. She said she asked Jasonn how much time he thought Gallagher should serve. Jasonn said he didn't want him to serve a long time, but he also didn't want Gallager to just get probation.
Jasonn was not in the courtroom.
Gallagher's step-grandmother and a close family friend also addressed the court. They described Gallagher as a good student, who has never been in trouble, plays an instrument and now studies at Horry Georgetown Technical College.
In a tearful address, Gallagher told Judge Culbertson what happened the day of the accident.
Gallagher said he had worked from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on the day of the accident. He said he thought he'd hit a deer, but turned himself in after reading an article in the newspaper about a hit and run.
