DANVILLE, Ill. (WAND) — A man in Danville will spend eight and a half years in the Illinois Dept. of Corrections after he plead guilty to charges of reckless homicide motor vehicle and unlawful possession of a weapon.
The Vermilion County State's Attorney said during the plea hearing, evidence was presented showing the actions of Jaylin Butler cost someone their life.
Danville Police officers attempted to pull Butler over for an Illinois Vehicle Code violation near Bowman Avenue and Fairchild Street on Sept. 26, 2023. Butler instead tried to flee from police and, during the pursuit, threw a black handgun from the front passenger window. Police stopped to secure the gun and then continued the chase.
Butler was driving more than 21 miles per hour above the posted speed limit and disobeyed multiple stop signs and stop lights.
Butler then hit a truck traveling through the intersection of Gilbert and Voorhees Street. This caused Butler's vehicle to go airborne, flip on its side, and land in the yard of a residence, with flames coming from the hood.
Officers went to give care and said two men had severe injuries after being ejected from their truck. One of the men, William Marietta of Danville, died from his injuries. The passenger survived.
DNA was taken from the handle of the gun and tested by the Illinois State Police Forensic Science Laboratory, which provided "very strong support" that it was Butler's DNA.
Butler will also spend one year of mandatory supervised release.
Copyright 2024. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
