Brewton Teen Sentenced For Deadly Hit And Run

November 2, 2017

An Alabama teen that struck a middle school student with her vehicle in 2016 before leaving the scene was sentenced to prison Wednesday.

Donnavia Zandra Williams pleaded guilty to manslaughter for hitting and killing 12-year-old Devon Spencer.

Williams was sentenced to 20 years in state prison by Judge Bert Rice. Under the sentencing, the first five years are mandatory to be followed by five years probation. If Williams completes both the prison sentence and probation without any disciplinary action or reincarceration, the remaing 10 years of her sentence will be waived.

Williams was 17 in February of 2016, when the deadly crash occurred. She told police her windshield was icy, and she’d thought she hit a mailbox.

Devon Spencer, 12, and a friend were walking on Williamson Street, traveling from an apartment complex to W.S. Neal Middle School. The friend was not seriously injured, but Devon died a few days later at Sacred Heart Hospital.

Williams was 17 in February of 2016, when the deadly crash occurred. She told police her windshield was icy, and she’d thought she hit a mailbox.

Devon Spencer, 12, and a friend were walking on Williamson Street, traveling from an apartment complex to W.S. Neal Middle School. The friend was not seriously injured, but Devon died a few days later at Sacred Heart Hospital.

Pictured top: Devon Spencer.

Comments

16 Responses to “Brewton Teen Sentenced For Deadly Hit And Run”

  1. fisherman on November 3rd, 2017 3:07 pm

    @sad indeed
    You have got o be kidding, she hit a 12 year old child and left him in the roadway. Even if she thought she hit a mail box she should have stopped. Victim of environment what is that about, she’s 17 years old and old enough to know better. The mother should spend many years in jail for her part in this.

  2. paul on November 2nd, 2017 7:41 pm

    she left the scene from the beginning before she told her mom.
    We have people serving in our military at 17.. she isn’t so much of a child who can’t be responsible for her own actions. I think her sentence was fair..

  3. Sad indeed for all involved on November 2nd, 2017 5:45 pm

    This poor child is a victim of her environment. At 17 years old this minor child was only following her mother’s command, as a 17 year old child should do.

    I say the blame clearly falls on the mother in this case and the girl should have been given a lengthy supervised probation and a second chance. The mother on the other hand should be punished fully within the letter of the law.

    Prayers for all involved, especially the family who lost their son. RIP young man, you are in good hands in heaven.

  4. family on November 2nd, 2017 11:54 am

    this is a sad situation, Devon was my family and we miss him so much, he was the sweetest kid you can ever know, he was full of joy, and ready for his future, he always talked about what he was going to do when he gets grown, just knowing he will never get to know what that is like breaks my heart…as for the girl my heart goes out for her to, because she so young. its very sad cause nobody wins…….

    REST IN PEACE #DEVONSPENCER..

  5. ROBERT on November 2nd, 2017 11:36 am

    At least she didnt get off scott free and will have to do prison time…She can have a decent life after her time is up…sadly the young man will never have that chance..

  6. George on November 2nd, 2017 10:49 am

    So what’s the punishment for?

    Is it for the wreck? Or is it all for leaving the scene? Or a combination?

    In other words, If she had stayed, were the circumstances such that she would have still been charged with negligent homicide?

    Or- were the criminal penalties ALL because of the “hit and run” aspect?

    I don’t know anything about the case and would like to try to understand.

  7. Frank on November 2nd, 2017 10:33 am

    Paul…I hope her mamma gets some time also?

    I may have missed something, but where did her mama come into the picture?

  8. AC on November 2nd, 2017 9:50 am

    @ Charlotte:

    Well said.

  9. A Alex on November 2nd, 2017 9:40 am

    Mother should get double the sentence. O VIOUS mom told her daughter not to stop and run. Is it not true she left without stopping.

  10. Atmore on November 2nd, 2017 8:55 am

    Jus A Slap On The Wrist

  11. Retired on November 2nd, 2017 8:48 am

    Wow I Imagine the family is happy about this she was suppose to get the whole 20 years day for day on the other hand Devin”s family got cheated this is no justice for them.

  12. Charlotte on November 2nd, 2017 8:30 am

    I am praying for the boy’s family and this teenager. She made a terrible mistake, and so young. I don’t know all the details, so I’m not one to say anything negative or positive about the situation, but it breaks my heart to see young people get into this kind of situation and ruining their lives for a stupid incident. And my heart breaks knowing that handsome young man died so young and had his life ahead of him cut short by a simple act of not paying attention. Praying hard for his family and friends.

  13. paul on November 2nd, 2017 8:09 am

    I hope her momma gets some time also..

  14. Calvin qualls on November 2nd, 2017 7:47 am

    This is truly sad for her and him she made a mistake and that kid lost his life im praying for them both god bless

  15. Just Saying on November 2nd, 2017 6:04 am

    Two young lives lost due to one bad decision, it’s just really sad.

  16. Pop on November 2nd, 2017 5:51 am

    Five years for taking a young life isn’t nothing!!