Man gets life in prison for killing girlfriend with SUV

BARTOW, Fla. (AP) – A central Florida man has been sentenced to life in prison for fatally striking his girlfriend with their SUV during an argument.

The Ledger reports that a Polk County judge sentenced 27-year-old Rushawn Cooper on Wednesday. He was convicted last month of second-degree murder with a weapon.

Authorities say Cooper became angry in December 2014 when he realized 22-year-old Cherish Johnson had taken his cell phone to search for text messages between him and another woman. Cooper was waiting for Johnson in their apartment complex’s parking lot when she returned in their vehicle.

After Johnson got out, authorities say Cooper got behind the wheel and drove after Johnson, hitting her at more than 30 mph.