Teen gets at least 4 years in death of elderly woman planting flowers in Detroit

DETROIT (WJBK) - A teen was sentenced to a minimum of 4 years and a maximum of 15 years on Wednesday for hitting and killing an elderly woman planting flowers in Detroit.

Donte Darrell Renfroe, 20, was charged for a hit-and-run crash that took the life of 83-year-old Charlotte Kish.

Police say last July, he was speeding on Outer Drive and hit the elderly woman as she tended to flowers planted in the median.

Renfroe hit a parked pick-up truck that slammed into Kish, then fled the scene. A few days later he turned himself into police.

He was sentenced Wednesday on charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter with a motor vehicle. His bond had been denied.

Hit-and-run kills 83-year-old woman who was watering flowers in Detroit

Before making his decision, Charlotte's son was able to speak about his mother.

"She loved the neighborhood she lived in. She tried to improve it," he said.

He added she was politically active, picked up litter and encouraged her neighbors to get involved in gardening.

He says Charlotte loved her neighborhood so much, when she knew a house was full of drugs, she would write a sign that said "crack houses get out."

Alleged hit and run driver charged with killing elderly woman on Outer Drive.

"She gave unconditional love to everyone around her," he said.

Then Renfroe himself spoke about Charlotte, whom he knew from the neighborhood.

"She was the kindest, sweetest person I probably ever met," he said. "What she did for the community is amazing. ... I just wish, and my family wishes the same thing, I just wish we would've gotten a chance to get to know her a little bit better."

Renfroe continued on to thank her son for speaking in the court.

Driver who killed elderly 'Flower Lady' turns self in; family shares her story

"I had no idea my medication or condition or any of that could cause such an event," he said.

He told the judge he had been switching medications for high blood pressure.

Renfroe says he doesn't remember much about the incident because he passed out.

As the judge handed down his sentence, he was said Renfroe still drove under medication.

"He has to pay for that," the judge said.

The reduced sentence was part of a guilty plea.

Watch the sentencing below: