DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) – A retired Illinois State Trooper has been charged with reckless homicide in the 2016 death of a Decatur woman.
The crash happened in May 2016, when Trooper Jeffrey Denning hit a woman’s car as she turned onto Oakland Avenue from West Harrison Street in Decatur. Denning was on the way to respond to an officer-involved shooting in Mahomet at the time.
The woman, identified as Kelly Wilson, died from injuries in the crash. The Macon County Coroner’s Jury ruled in the summer of 2016 that the crash was accidental in nature.
Court documents say Denning was driving faster than 100 miles per hour at the the time and didn't "utilize his siren in a constant mode". They say his speed was at least 35 miles per hour over the limit and was "greater than reasonable and proper with regard to the safety of persons on the roadway".
Denning is facing a charge of reckless homicide. Back in 2016, Wilson’s family sued Denning, Illinois State Police and Illinois as a state for $10 million. They accused Denning of driving as fast as 109 miles per hour and being negligent behind the wheel by not using his siren and failing to look for other cars properly. At least the claims against Denning and ISP were dismissed in the court of claims, and the lawsuit against Illinois was still active in 2017.
Denning’s attorney, Jay Elmore, previously said there was a “strong likelihood” the trooper would face criminal charges.
The suspect will next appear in court in Macon County on Dec. 21.
WAND-TV has contacted the office of the appellate prosecutor, which is handling the case, and the station is waiting for the details. WAND-TV has also contacted Illinois State Police seeking comment and information on Denning's status as a trooper.
