Canton man sentenced to 20 years for DUI death

A Canton man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for 2018 crash which killed a pedestrian on Highway 16 because he was drunk.

Jerodrick George, 34, of Canton was sentenced on Feb. 14, District Attorney John K. Bramlett, Jr., said.

“This is number five for George, and this time he took an innocent life. He is a danger to every single person reading this, as well as their families,” Bramlett said. 

“Judge Ratcliff put him exactly where he needs to be, and for a proper and significant amount of time. Our prayers continue for the family and friends of Cheryl Clark, as they now continue their lives without her.” 

George had already pleaded guilty to one count of DUI resulting in a death.

On November 2, 2018, George was driving westbound on Highway 16 near Way Road just north of Canton when his pickup truck struck and killed Cheryl L. Clark, Bramlett said.. 

Clark was walking in the same direction as George was driving. The force of the impact caused her to be thrown off the roadway and into a nearby ditch. 

She was killed instantly from the impact. George attempted to leave the scene, but his car was not drivable due to the force of the collision. 

Bramlett said that George had blood alcohol content of .107 when he was later taken to the hospital for minor injuries he sustained from the crash. 

The Mississippi Highway Patrol Crash Team worked the accident. They determined that when George hit Clark, he was not only drunk, but he was also traveling at least 80 miles per hour which is 25 miles over the posted speed limit. 

George had four prior DUI convictions and did not possess a valid driver’s license at the time of the accident.