BELLEVILLE – Brandon Wilson of Freeburg, who late last month allegedly killed Ashley Dancy of Belleville by driving drunk, had beaten a drunk driving ticket from 2020 by pleading guilty on a drunk driving ticket from 2017.
A state trooper wrote on the 2020 ticket, “Vomit on shirt, pants, and truck interior and exterior.”
St. Clair County Associate Judge Elaine LeChien dismissed that ticket last June, after Wilson agreed to plead guilty on the previous ticket.
Dancy, mother of two children, suffered fatal injuries at Illinois Route 15 and 74th Street on Feb. 27.
Belleville police charged reckless homicide, aggravated driving under the influence, and driving on a revoked license.
On March 7, Circuit Judge Robert Haida set bond at $500,000.
A Smithton officer issued the first ticket on Aug. 26, 2017, stating Wilson drove his Dodge truck north in the southbound lane of North Main Street around 2 a.m.
The officer also charged improper lane use and suspended license.
Secretary of State Jesse White notified Wilson that he would suspend his license for at least six months starting on the 46th day after his arrest.
Attorney Thomas Daley of Belleville entered an appearance for Wilson in November 2017, and moved to suppress his arrest.
He claimed police had no reasonable grounds to believe he committed an offense. He also moved for a hearing to rescind the suspension.
The docket doesn’t show that the motions ever came to a hearing.
In November 2018, Fairview Heights police issued tickets charging that Wilson drove without valid license or registration.
In May 2019, Freeburg police issued license and registration tickets plus charges of reckless driving and leaving the scene. All the while the Smithton ticket lingered.
On Sept. 10, 2020, around 2 a.m., a trooper arrested Wilson at Route 15 and Green Mount Road.
The trooper stated he ran a red light and swerved over the center line.
The trooper charged him with driving under the influence, resisting an officer, and disobeying a signal.
Last year, LeChien set jury trial on the Smithton tickets for July 26.
On June 28, she approved a plea agreement and sentenced Wilson to a year of conditional discharge.
She imposed fines of $1,600 and $300, and gave him a year to pay. She sentenced him to third level alcohol treatment, a victim impact panel, and 24 hours of community service.
She dismissed the other Smithton tickets and the tickets from Fairview Heights.
Daley represented Wilson and assistant state’s attorney Paris Bateman represented the people.
In court two days later, LeChien dismissed all the Green Mount Road tickets and rescinded the suspension of Wilson’s license.
He appeared without counsel, and assistant state’s attorney Elizabeth McQuage represented the people.
On his current arrest, the clerk hadn’t posted tickets or reports as of March 7.