Man confesses to responsibility for fatal DUI accident that resulted in a woman's death

A man from Hanna City, Jeremy E. Perry, has admitted his guilt in relation to a tragic accident that resulted in the death of Miriam Schmid and severe injuries to her son in January 2023. Perry, 45, confessed to one count of aggravated DUI in Peoria County Circuit Court for causing the collision near the intersection of U.S. Route 150 and Koerner Road. Perry was found to have cannabis and methamphetamine in his system during chemical testing after the mid-morning crash. In exchange for his guilty plea, lesser charges of aggravated DUI, driving on a revoked license, and aggravated fleeing and eluding were dropped by Peoria County prosecutors. The accident occurred following a pursuit by deputies from the Peoria County Sheriff's Office, starting from a gas station where Perry and another individual were found unresponsive in a Buick LeSabre. While the deputies managed to rescue the woman, Perry fled in the car and was chased onto U.S. Route 150, leading to the fatal collision. Besides Schmid's death and her son's serious injuries, another vehicle was involved in the crash, with injuries sustained by its occupants unclear. Perry will be sentenced by Circuit Judge Paul Bauer on June 25, facing a minimum of three years in prison and a maximum of 14 years. The judge could opt for probation, but Perry must present compelling reasons to avoid incarceration. Perry would have to serve at least 85% of his prison sentence minus any time already spent in custody. Updates on this story will follow.