Sheriff backs over, kills mother-in-law

CAIRO -- Illinois State Police say they're investigating how and why a southern Illinois sheriff backed over and killed his 87-year-old mother-in-law.

Investigators say Mary Elizabeth Burnley died at the scene of the accident shortly before 1:30 a.m. Wednesday outside Alexander County Sheriff David Barkett's home in the southern Illinois town of Cairo (KAYR'-oh).

State police say Barkett was responding to a call for police service and was backing out of his driveway when he hit Burnley.

It isn't immediately clear if the widow lived at Barkett's home.

No charges have been filed.

Barkett doesn't have a listed home telephone number, and he didn't return a message left at his office.