Chicago man admits to deadly hit-and-run in Peoria

In Peoria, Illinois, a man from Chicago could face a maximum of five years in prison after admitting guilt on Tuesday regarding a fatal car crash that occurred last January. Demoriele L. Sims, 37, confessed in Peoria County Circuit Court to not reporting an accident that led to a death in connection with the collision that claimed Quentin M. Shinkle's life. As part of the plea agreement, the prosecution accepted the five-year sentence cap instead of the potential 15 years. Another legal matter linked to drugs was also dismissed. Sims is currently detained at the Peoria County Jail awaiting his sentencing on March 25 in Judge Steve Kouri's courtroom. Court records and CIProud.com archives reveal that Sims fled the scene of the accident, failing to report it as mandated within 30 minutes. Shortly after 1 a.m. on January 13, police were called to the 2100 block of West Dr. Martin Luther King Drive where they discovered Shinkle with severe injuries from a vehicle collision; unfortunately, he later succumbed to his injuries on January 18. Authorities found truck parts that matched Sims' vehicle at the scene, leading to his arrest. Sims admitted to hitting Shinkle, fleeing, and not reporting the incident.