The second of two women convicted in a fatal 2006 crash will serve life in prison, a Columbia County jury decided Thursday.

Nebula Denise McNeely, 45, of Augusta, was found guilty of two counts of murder, one count of feticide, two counts of serious injury by vehicle, cruelty to children, fleeing and attempting to elude police and misdemeanor shoplifting.

Superior Court Judge Duncan Wheale sentenced Ms. McNeely to three consecutive life sentences -- one without the possibility of parole -- plus 26 years in prison.

Police say Ms. McNeely and Tiara Maria Smith, 22, fled the Marshall's store in Mullins Crossing shopping center after they were caught shoplifting. Ms. Smith was driving when her SUV ran the red light at Washington Road and Bobby Jones Expressway and hit a car.

Martinez residents Margaret Patricia Branton, 63, and her son, Lonnie D. Turner, 37, were killed. Mr. Turner's pregnant wife, Mary, was in the backseat with the couple's 4-year-old son. Mrs. Turner's unborn child died.

Ms. Smith was sentenced to life plus 10 years after she pleaded guilty in September.

-- Valerie Rowell, Columbia County Bureau