An eastern Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to 2 1/2 to seven years in prison in a traffic accident that killed an elderly pedestrian a year and a half ago.

Forty-six-year-old Michael McCord of Pennside pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle and driving under the influence of alcohol and marijuana. Authorities said his pickup struck 81-year-old Mary Rossignoli as she was crossing a Reading street on her way home in August 2008.

McCord apologized on Monday, saying he acted carelessly and would be "forever regretful."

Defense attorney Paul Missan sought a minimum term of 21 months, asking the judge to "sentence him for who he is today, not who he was then."

Relatives said the victim spent three decades working in U.S. embassies around the world and returned to her hometown of Reading when she retired in 1990.

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Information from: Reading Eagle, www.readingeagle.com