The lives of several people took an unexpected turn on May 18, 2016 at around 2:10 a.m. That is when a multiple-vehicle accident occurred due to a wrong-way driver. The driver responsible for the crash recently received a sentence of 30 months’ probation after pleading guilty to DUI in an Illinois court.
Reports indicated that the 29-year-old woman headed the wrong way on Interstate 74 here in Illinois. She was reportedly arguing with her boyfriend on the phone at the time of the crash. Her vehicle slammed into a car carrying five occupants. That vehicle was then struck by an 18-wheeler traveling behind it.
All five victims suffered varying degrees of injuries. When the wrong-way driver was given a blood alcohol concentration test, her level was over three times the Illinois limit at .25 percent. The court took victim impact statements and statements from the driver and others in determining her sentence after she pleaded guilty to DUI. The judge may also have considered the fact that the woman had no prior criminal convictions and has a young daughter. Her 30 months’ probation includes home electronic detention for six months.
Not everyone who faces serious criminal charges in a DUI-related crash ends up in jail or prison. It may be possible to negotiate a plea deal that would avoid incarceration if the evidence the prosecution intends to present to the court makes going to trail a risky endeavor. Before that choice is made, however, a criminal defense attorney will more than likely thoroughly review and investigate the circumstances to determine the best outcome possible regarding the charges.
Source: news-gazette.com, “Mahomet woman gets probation for wrong-way DUI“, Mary Schenk, June 13, 2017
