Driver sentenced to eight years for crash that killed woman, unborn child

A McHenry County man was sentenced to eight years in prison this morning after admitting that he drank before his pickup truck slammed into an oncoming car April 4, killing its driver and her unborn child.

James B. Long, 24, of McHenry, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated driving under the influence under a deal that allowed him to avoid a possible 14-year maximum sentence and spared his victim's family a difficult trial.

"I'm terribly sorry for everything that happened," Long said. "I never meant to hurt anybody."

Authorities say Long was driving north on Route 31 just north of Crystal Lake when his vehicle crossed the center line and collided head on with car driven by Jennifer R. Miller, 22, of Wonder Lake.

The impact killed Miller, who was five months pregnant, as well as her unborn child. Her brother, Charles Miller, and boyfriend, Shane Westphal, also suffered serious injuries in the crash.

Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Donna Kelly said tests later showed Long was driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.191 percent - more than twice the legal limit of 0.08 - and also had cocaine in his system at the time of the crash.

Miller's grandmother, Barbara Kuegemann, read a statement on behalf of the family in court describing their loss.

"Every day we wake up wishing it was just a bad dream, but realizing that this is real," she said.

"As adults, we do not think of our children and grandchildren dying before we do," she said. "I will forever miss her happy smile and loving ways. I will never know the great grandchild who was killed by Mr. Long."

Under state law, Long must serve at least 85 percent of the 8-year prison term, meaning he will be eligible for parole in a little less than 7 years.

Though Long likely would have faced a longer sentence had he gone to trial and been found guilty by a jury, McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather said she accepted the plea deal because of Long's remorse and lack of criminal history.

"These types of cases are the most difficult the court has to do," Prather said. "There is no sentence the court can impose by which anyone here can feel there has been justice."