Accused drunk driver pleads guilty in fatal Decatur crash

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) -- A Decatur man accused of drunkenly killing two pedestrians with his car last year pleaded guilty to two counts in the criminal case against him. Macon County court records show Issaih Flagg, 37, reached a plea deal with prosecutors last month, and a disposition hearing was scheduled for Wednesday. During that hearing, Flagg entered a plea of guilty to reckless homicide and aggravated DUI without a valid license, Class 3 and 4 felonies, respectively. As part of the deal, the reckless homicide charge was downgraded from a Class 2 felony, and the state dismissed five other counts that included felony aggravated DUI causing death and a slew of misdemeanors. Flagg was arrested the night of Aug. 21, 2025, less than two hours after Decatur Police responded to Main Street and Taylor Avenue for a vehicle vs. pedestrian crash. Police previously reported that Flagg's Pontiac was driving west on Main Street when the car crossed the eastbound lane, drove onto the sidewalk and hit two people walking westbound. They were 38-year-old Candace Nichole Wilt and 29-year-old Christopher Cox. Wilt was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, and Cox was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. In a sworn statement, Decatur Police said Cox had a severe brain bleed, a pelvic injury and had lost blood flow to his right leg. The officer who signed the statement said he was advised Cox would likely succumb to his injuries, and he did in Springfield four days later. The officer wrote that the Pontiac had "severe" damage to its hood that was consistent with a vehicle vs. pedestrian crash and that the windshield was caved inward. There were even strands of hair embedded in the glass. "Within the Pontiac in plain view, I observed multiple cans of various alcoholic beverages. These cans were cool to the touch and had condensation on the outside," the officer added. "Upon contact with Issaih, I detected a strong odor coming from his person that was consistent with alcoholic beverage. Issaih appeared to have glassy looking bloodshot eyes." As part of the investigation, Flagg was transported to the Decatur Police Department's headquarters, where officers administered field sobriety tests. The officer who signed the sworn statement said he observed "all six" possible clues for indications that Flagg was impaired. He was arrested a short time later and was charged with aggravated DUI causing death, reckless homicide, aggravated DUI with no valid license and multiple misdemeanors. Now, eight months later, Flagg has pleaded guilty to two of the charges against him. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for June 1.