The death of a Pontiac patrolman and his canine partner by a drunk driver has landed a South Carolina man in prison for 12 years.

Jason Collins was sentenced to 12 years Monday afternoon for the October 2013 death of Pontiac police officer Casey Kohlmeier and his dog, Draco. The officers were killed on Interstate 55 near Pontiac when Collins ran into the police cruiser they were parked in along the median.

Collins pleaded guilty in August to four counts of aggravated driving under the influence and one count of reckless homicide in the death of the 29-year-old Kohlmeier.

Collins could have received 14 years in prison on the aggravated DUI charges. The sentencing hearing lasted about two hours in Livingston County Circuit Court and included victim impact statements from members of Kohlmeier's family.

94.1 WGFA