SUGAR GROVE, IL – On Monday, a judge sentenced a 56–year-old woman, a Batavia resident, to eight years in prison for her involvement in a fatal DUI crash in Sugar Grove.
The Daily Herald said in June, the woman, Melissa J. Hill, pleaded guilty to two felony counts of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol — causing death. And in court, a deputy testified that Hill had a BAC level of .235, which is nearly three times the legal limit.
Reason behind Hill’s 8-year prison sentence
Judge David Kliment’s decision was based on the fact that she drove 97mph minutes before a multi-vehicle crash that injured several people, because Hill violated a court order not to consume drugs or alcohol while driving, and because she had no history of committing crimes.
The Backstory
The collision happened after 11 p.m. on July 21, 2023, on Bliss Road near Seavey Road. Hill, who was operating a BMW X5, crossed a double yellow line and crashed into a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck.
Hill’s SUV and the pickup truck then struck several other vehicles.
The Chevrolet driver, 54-year-old Jonathan Couch, from Sugar Grove, succumbed to his injuries at the scene, while his passenger, 56-year-old Teresa Haidl, died the next day.
If you lost a family member to a serious car accident, you deserve the opportunity to get justice for your late kin. The Naperville wrongful death lawyer at The Crannell Law Group, LLC is ready to help you achieve that goal. While you grieve and focus on healing, rest assured that our attorney will not rest until they successfully settle your case. Get a free initial consultation online or by phone at (630) 457-4623 today.
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