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COLUSA, Calif. (AP) A Northern California bus driver involved in a crash that killed 11 people last year has been sentenced to more than 26 years in prison.

Quintin Watts was sentenced by a Colusa County judge to 26 years and four months Wednesday. The Stockton resident was convicted last month of 11 counts of gross vehicular manslaughter and 21 counts of great bodily injury.

Watts was behind the wheel of a bus carrying a group of mostly elderly Hmong and Mien immigrants from the Sacramento area to a casino in October 2008 when the bus veered off a rural Colusa County road and rolled over.

Authorities say Watts apparently dozed off at the wheel, leading to the crash.

Prosecutors say the 53-year-old Watts will have to serve 85 percent of his sentence, making him eligible for parole when he's 75.

Information from: KCRA-TV (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-04-09 2324CST | save this article / add to your favorites list