A man who hit and killed a Flint girl while driving a van in September 2011 was sentenced to life behind bars with possibility of parole.

Mark Blount agreed to a plea deal in order to avoid a charge of second-degree murder, which most likely would have meant mandatory life in prison.

Blount was charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of 13-year-old Misty Kurmis.

The judge presiding over the case went above sentencing guidelines for his determination.

Blount also was sentenced to 120-180 months on the charge of operating a vehicle with a suspended license resulting in death.

Blount will be eligible for parole after 18 years time served.

Federal agents had Blount under surveillance while investigating him for drug connections. The agents called for a marked police vehicle to make a traffic stop. 

Video from the trooper's car shows the trooper arriving with the car's lights and sirens on. At that point, authorities said Blount fled in the van, struck Kurmas and crashed the van - all in the span of 15 seconds.

Eyewitnesses say the van was traveling so fast down Saginaw Street that when it hit the girl, she was thrown more than 100 feet into the air.

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said Blount had been smoking marijuana just before the accident and didn't have a license to drive the van.

Blount was arrested after a short foot chase when he jumped out of the van he crashed after striking Kurmas while she crossed the street.

Blount was sentenced Monday morning in Genesee County Circuit Court. 

Blount's attorneys plan to appeal the verdict.

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