Man pleads guilty to reckless homicide in death of officer

CHESTER, Ill. (AP) - A man has pleaded guilty to reckless homicide in the death of a southern Illinois police officer who crashed during a 2016 high-speed chase.

Thirty-five-year-old Jason Stoker of Chester entered the plea Monday before a bench trial was scheduled to begin. With the plea agreement, charges including murder and aggravated fleeing are being dropped. Stoker faces 3 to 14 years in prison when sentenced Aug. 16.

Chester Officer James Brockmeyer crashed his patrol car while pursuing Stoker. Authorities say Stoker was blamed for the death because he didn't comply with the officer's orders and was driving at a high speed. The 22-year-old officer also was a volunteer firefighter.

Stoker last week was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison in a case involving the sale of methamphetamine in Randolph County.