SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- A South Carolina teen has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for losing control of his speeding sport utility vehicle and killing a retired Spartanburg County deputy on a riding lawn mower.

Prosecutors say 18-year-old Daniel Bailey was going 70 mph in a 35 mph zone and had just passed two cars in a no passing zone when he ran off the road and hit 61-year-old Steve Spears in Pacolet last April.

The Herald-Journal of Spartanburg reported that authorities said Spears was 50 feet away from the street when he was struck.

Bailey pleaded guilty Monday to reckless homicide and received the maximum 10-year sentence. He will have to serve at least 81/2 years.

Bailey apologized for the wreck and says he thinks about it all the time.