BOSTON, Oct. 7, 2016— A Dorchester man was sentenced to prison today after admitting guilt in the 2015 hit-and-run crash that killed 8-year-old Yadielys DeLeon Camacho and injured a second child, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

JAMES J. HORTON (D.O.B. 4/10/70) today pleaded guilty to charges of manslaughter, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident causing death, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury, and operating with a suspended license.  Judge Robert Gordon sentenced Horton to seven to eight years in state prison followed by four years of probation, during which time Horton may not operate a motor vehicle and must pay $10,000 restitution to the victim’s family.  Assistant District Attorney Judith M. Lyons, chief of the DA’s Major Felony Bureau, had recommended that Horton serve a term of eight to 10 years in state prison followed by four years of probation.

“This child’s death was not an accident,” Conley said. “It was the result of reckless conduct in which the defendant raced down a residential street at almost twice the speed limit without regard for anyone else’s safety.”

Had the case proceeded to trial, Lyons would have presented evidence and testimony to prove that on the night of June 6, 2015, Horton was operating a rented 2015 Chevy Cruze at speeds of up to 57 miles per hour on West Selden Street in Mattapan – a thickly settled residential street with a speed limit of 30 mph.

Also on West Selden Street, the victim and a 12-year-old cousin were playing on a bicycle during a family birthday party.

Horton struck the two children on the street and crashed into a parked vehicle.  He then fled on foot before calling a friend to give him a ride to Brockton.

Yadielys died of her injuries.  The surviving victim was thrown under a parked car by the force of the crash and suffered injuries including a broken leg and concussion.

During the course of their investigation, Boston Police identified Horton as the driver and sole occupant of the rented vehicle.  He was located early the next morning hiding inside a closet at a Brockton residence and placed under arrest.

Before Horton’s sentence was imposed, the surviving victim and members of Yadielys’ family had the opportunity to address the court.  In a handwritten letter that was read in court by Lyons, the now-13-year-old described the back pain, leg pain, migraines and altered sense of smell that he continues to suffer as a result of the crash.

“June 6, 2015 chanced my life forever.  I remember [I] was crossing the street with my little cousin Yadielys.  Then I woke up in the hospital not knowing why,” he wrote.  “I cry on birthdays because Yadielys doesn’t get to enjoy any of those things anymore.  My family can’t see me without crying or thinking about the accident.”

Kelly Hogan is the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate.  Horton was represented by Alyssa Hackett.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.