Slain NFL Player Edwin Jackson's Killer Sentenced

ATLANTA, GA — The man who pleaded guilty in July to driving drunk in a February crash that killed Indianapolis Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson of Atlanta and his Uber driver was sentenced Friday. WXIN said Manuel Orrego-Savala was sentenced to 16 years in prison in court Friday, after hearing from family members of both victims.

Orrego-Savala's sentencing comes one month after he wrote a letter to Judge Grant Hawkins, in which he admitted to having a drinking problem and that he "was not trying to kill or hurt anyone." WXIN said in the letter, the man wrote, "I ask the family- the courts- and God to all please forgive me."

Jackson was one of two people killed in a Feb. 4 crash in which police say a drunk driver barreled into a car Jackson was standing next to on the shoulder of a highway near Indianapolis. Authorities say Jackson was taking an Uber ride when he began feeling ill and the driver pulled over.

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Jackson, 26, and driver Jeffrey Monroe, 54, were killed. Orrego-Savala, a native of Guatemala, was arrested and it was later learned he was in the country illegally, having been deported twice before.

The Indianapolis Colts established a $25,000 scholarship in Jackson's name. One of 11 children, Jackson played football and wrestled at Westlake High School in Atlanta. He was known as much for his generosity and charitable work off the field as for his drive and determination on it.

An undrafted free agent, he signed with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, and then the Colts, starting as a practice squad player and working his way up to become at starter at inside linebacker in 2016.

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He founded the Edwin Jackson 53 Foundation which works to help young athletes who, like Jackson himself, do not initially receive college scholarships.

The foundation also supports The PoundCake Club — using Jackson's own nickname — which promotes physical fitness and healthy lifestyle choices for children from underprivileged backgrounds. The club hosts fitness camps, after-school programs, field days and leadership development courses, as well as providing school supplies for students in need.

PHOTO: Edwin Jackson #53 of the Indianapolis Colts looks on after the NFL Hall of Fame Game against the Green Bay Packers was cancelled due to poor field conditions on August 7, 2016. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)