Victim's compassion helps McHenry Co. man avoid prison

A McHenry County man was sentenced to three months in jail Monday after pleading guilty to charges he intentionally drove over a man during a neighborhood dispute in Huntley.

But things could have been much worse for Nicholas S. Hanson if not for help from an unlikely source: His victim.

County prosecutors reduced a pair of felony charges stemming from the July 15, 2007 incident to misdemeanors as part of a plea bargain Monday, allowing Hanson to avoid a possible five-year prison term.

Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Mary Baccam said the prosecutor's office agreed to the deal after the victim, who suffered a broken arm in the collision, endorsed the reduced charges.

"The victim showed a lot of compassion," Baccam said. "He understands the defendant is a young man who made a serious, serious mistake."

Hanson, 20, of Union, admitted guilt to battery and leaving the scene of an accident as part of the deal in which he also will must serve one year probation, pay a $750 fine and perform 50 hours public service.

The incident occurred about 12:45 a.m. after Hanson argued with several people in front of a home in the 11900 block of Route 47. As Hanson was driving away, police said, a woman stepped in front of his car attempting to get his license plate information.

Believing the woman was about to be run down, the 44-year-old victim pushed her out of the way and was struck by the car instead, police said. Witnesses reported Hanson sped up as he saw the victim walk in front of his vehicle.

His defense lawyer, Raymond Flavin, called Hanson a "very good kid" who made a bad judgment.

"He was willing today to step up and take the punishment for that mistake," Flavin said.