RIVIERA BEACH, Florida (CBS12) — The suspect in a fatal 2022 traffic crash involving a golf cart on the Blue Heron Bridge has accepted a plea deal of eight years in State Prison.

On Thursday, Willie Joe Shannon, Jr. He pleaded guilty to both vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident and was sentenced to eight years in state prison, followed by six years of probation, restitution, and any additional conditions imposed by the court. Statement by the Riviera Beach Police Department (RBPD).

Investigators say on Aug. 16, 2022, Shannon was behind the wheel of a Mercedes that rear-ended a golf cart on the bridge, killing the vehicle’s owner, 51-year-old Troy Lowry.Do Wet Water Sports.

Shannon, 57, was traveling between 99 and 183 miles per hour at the time of the crash, throwing Lowry more than 1,000 feet at the time of impact, according to testimony.

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RBPD said witnesses reported the driver of the black Mercedes-Benz fled the scene on foot toward Lake Shore Drive before officers arrived.

A woman said she was able to identify Shannon as the driver after he allegedly told her, “I’m in a really bad shape,” according to the police department.

Investigators then used security footage from a nearby building to identify Shannon as the suspect.

The U.S. Marshals arrested Shannon on December 18, 2022, three months after the crash.

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