A Bogue Chitto man was sentenced Monday to six years in prisonfor his involvement in the death of another man while fleeing lawenforcement officers in November 2004.

Russell Hart, 45, of 338 Bogue Chitto Rd., pleaded guilty inOctober to manslaughter by culpable negligence, said Circuit ClerkTerry Lynn Watkins.

Hart was sentenced Monday by Judge Mike Taylor to 15 years inthe custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections andordered to serve six years. The remaining nine years were suspendedon five years of post-release supervision and Hart was also orderedto complete alcohol and drug treatment while incarcerated and pay a$5,000 fine, Watkins said.

Hart was convicted in the death of Harry J. Whittington, 48, ofLiberty. Whittington was a passenger in a 1996 GMC Sierra pickupbeing driven by Hart on Nov. 29, 2004, when Hart fled from lawofficers, authorities said following the incident.

Hart, who was driving under the influence, led Lincoln CountySheriff’s Department deputies on a high speed pursuit that startednear the intersection of Highway 51 and Brister Street and ended onBig Creek Drive when the vehicle left the road and struck atree.

Whittington was pronounced dead at the scene. Hart wastransferred by ambulance to King’s Daughters Medical Center.