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Man sentenced for deadly McDonough hit-and-run

Robert Huynh

MCDONOUGH, Ga. – A McDonough man pleaded guilty Thursday to striking and killing a 16-year-old girl as she ran across the road.

Robert Thien-An Huynh, 20, entered the plea in Henry County Superior Court to charges of felony hit and run, as well as misdemeanors tampering with evidence and failure to report an accident. A judge sentenced him to serve five years in prison followed by 24 months on probation.

Police arrested Huynh in June 2017 after they say he hit and killed 16-year-old Tasia Marie Gartner. Police said Gartner and a friend were walking along SR-81 in McDonough around 9:31 p.m. June 19 when they tried to cross the road. Investigators said Huynh hit the teen, but kept going.

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Authorities later found Huynh's Honda Fit at a body shop in Doraville, more than 50 miles away from the scene of the crime. Investigators believe he may have tried to take it to a body shop to get it repaired in secret.

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As a condition of his probation, Huynh must speak to high school students each semester, complete 80 hours of community service and undergo mental health treatment.

“We think it’s important that teenagers learn the impact of being irresponsible. He will have to talk to students about taking responsibility for their actions and the importance of safe driving,” Henry County Chief Assistant District Attorney Cheveda McCamy said.

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