Man sentenced in 2017 crash that killed mother and baby

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- It was an emotional day in court as a man was sentenced for running a red light and killing a mother and her baby. 

Reggie Gaston was sentenced to 30 years in prison and 17 years extended supervision in court this morning. 

Gaston ran a red light at 35th and Capitol in Milwaukee, driving almost 80 miles per hour back in October 2017 when he crashed into Shakela Rhodes' vehicle and a bus. The crash killed Rhodes and her 11-month-old daughter. 

Rhodes' 14-year-old cousin was also seriously injured. Police found crack cocaine in Gaston's vehicle. The defense argued in court that the reason Gaston fled was because he was disoriented from his injuries and a motorist gave him a ride to the hospital. 

Police later caught up with him and he was arrested. Rhodes' family made their emotional plea to the judge to give Gaston the maximum sentence. 

"Us losing Shakela and baby has been very hard on the family and I do forgive Reggie but I never forget because he left the scene and he didn't even think about the lives that he took and we miss her so much and she left behind four beautiful kids," said Marilyn Copeland, the Shakela's aunt. 

Gaston was convicted on two counts of reckless homicide and one count of reckless endangerment.