William D. Sprind, 36, of West Frankfort, learned his fate during Monday’s sentencing hearing in Franklin County Circuit Court.
Judge Kyle Vantrease said it was not easy to invoke the sentence, adding that Sprind acted recklessly on Jan. 23, 2007, when the vehicle he was driving struck another vehicle being driven by Troy Holt.
The accident killed Holt’s wife, Myrtle.
“Mr. Sprind is sentenced to the maximum of 14 years to be incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections,” Vantrease said. “This will be followed by two years’ mandatory release.”
Sprind was also told he would pay court costs.
Vantrease said Sprind has been free on bond for more than two years because of his medical condition.
Franklin County State’s Attorney Thomas J. Dinn said it was appropriate that Sprind be convicted on either Count I or II.
“The aggravated driving under the influence of drugs is the most serious offense,” Dinn said. “He cannot be convicted of all five counts because they are all variations of the same offense.”
Sprind’s attorney, Randy Patchett said Sprind had no memory of the accident.
A relative of Holt’s, Amber Clancy, read a statement written by Troy Holt.
“On Jan. 23, 2007, I lost most of the things important to me,” Clancy read. “I spent a lot of time with my wife. She was the best thing that ever happened to me.” She said Holt didn’t find out that his wife had lost her life in the accident for three weeks because he was unconscious.
“I didn’t get to see her grave for months,” Clancy read. “I was in a nursing home until May 2007, couldn’t do anything for myself and couldn’t walk for months.”
In Holt’s statement, he blames himself for the accident, saying he couldn’t prevent it.
“I cry almost every time I talk about that day,” Clancy read.
He sold his home in Johnston City earlier this year because there were too many painful memories inside.
Holt said he missed his wife, his life and most of his freedom. After the sentence was read, Holt said was pleased with the outcome.
“I wish he would have gotten more time but I guess that was all they could do,” he said.
Patchett said Sprind suffered horrendous injuries.
“He is taking 20 medications every day, has had numerous surgeries with more to come,” he said. “The cost is already approaching between $1 million and $2 million. I would ask the court to consider house arrest or an alternative to imprisonment.”
Dinn called Sprind’s injuries simple practical justice, adding they were not a mitigating factor.
“The families have waited too long to see him behind bars,” Dinn said. “Mr. Sprind has robbed two families of their mothers — the first more than 20 years ago.”
Sprind apologized to the families.
“If I could take it back or change it, I would do it in a heartbeat,” he said.
Vantrease said as determined by statute, Sprind would serve 85 percent of his sentence or 11 years and eight months, adding the sentence would be extended for misconduct.
Benton, Ill. —
