Man sentenced in Springfield girl’s death

A 30-year-old man convicted of striking and killing a 12-year-old girl with his SUV while fleeing police has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Joseph Thomson, of Springfield, was arrested June 24 and originally charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and failure to comply. He plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter after reaching a plea deal.

He appeared in court on Tuesday morning for his sentencing and received the maximum penalty of 11 years in prison.

Police said they tried to pull Thomson over for a speeding violation on North Street when he took off. As Thomson was fleeing from Springfield police June 24, his green Suburban SUV struck and killed 12-year-old Kayla Mongold.