McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- A driver who struck and killed a co-worker last summer has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Catalino Hernandez Pascual, 26, pleaded guilty in a Yamhill County court to manslaughter, reckless driving and hit-and-run driving.

Sheriff's deputies found the body of nursery worker Jose Fructuoso-Gonzalez on a rural road south of Dayton. Pascual and Fructuoso lived together in West Salem and worked together at KCK Farms on the Amity-Dayton Highway.

Prosecutor Alicia Eagan said the pair had gone drinking the night before Fructuoso's body was found.

Pascual denied involvement initially, but later acknowledged striking Fructuoso after the passenger had left the vehicle because of a disagreement. Pascual said he sped away after the dispute, but later decided to turn around. He said he was going about 70 mph when he suddenly spotted Fructuoso standing in the middle of the road.

The driver said he didn't have time to take evasive action, and didn't stop to help because it was obvious Fructuoso was dead.

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Eagan, however, said Fructuoso might have been run over more than once, and the evidence doesn't support Pascual's version.

Fructuoso, 41, had a wife and three daughters living in Mexico. At Monday's sentencing, his brother, Mariano Andrade-Andrade of Salem, said Pascual's actions had destroyed a family and 10 years wasn't a tough enough sentence.

Pascual disagreed. "I think it's a long time," Pascual told the court through an interpreter. "I did not do it on purpose. It was an accident. I'd like less time."