Adams Placed on Probation for Reckless Homicide

Western Illinois resident John Adams has been placed on 30 months' probation for reckless homicide for his role in last fall's death of Brianne Martin of Effingham.

The 61-year-old Adams was driving a semi last October 17 when he tried to make a U-turn using a median turnaround on I-57 north of Effingham. A portion of the rig remained on the roadway and was struck by a car driven by Martin, resulting in her death.

At one point, Adams had been charged with aggravated DUI causing death, but prosecutors later changed their strategy when it could not be proved that Adams was under the influence of cocaine at the time of the crash. Cocaine metabolite was found in his urine, but that is an indication the cocaine had already passed through his system.

In asking for a maximum five-year sentence for the Class 2 felony offense, Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said the use of cocaine and an improper logbook was indicative of a series of poor mistakes made by Adams that led to Martin's death.

Effingham County Public Defender Scott Schmidt indicated his client was "sincerely remorseful" for his actions. Schmidt said Adams "certainly didn't start out that day to hurt someone".

Brianne Martin's mother, April Hurt, testified that yesterday would have been Brianne's 24th birthday. She spoke about Brianne's plans as a recovering drug addict to become a drug counselor to help others. She also noted her granddaughter, Brianne's daughter Madeline, would have to grow up without her mother. 

Madeline's father, Travis Summers, also testified, saying "a mother's love is the greatest of all, and now that's gone."

Adams' employer, brother-in-law, and daughter all testified on his behalf, and Adams spoke, saying he is truly remorseful for what happened and hopes that Martin's family some day can forgive him.

In imposing the probation sentence, Judge Kimberly Koester said nothing she could say or do "that would make it all better." The judge said, "I'm looking at opposite ends of the spectrum, one side asking for probation and the other side asking for the maximum sentence." She explained that if prison time had been imposed, "it would be a blip on the screen" and that Adams' time "would be over before it began." She said she considered Martin's future, but also considered Adams' age and the cost of prison incarceration and decided to sentence him to prison "would be inappropriate."

Adams has spent 206 days in jail awaiting disposition of his case. When day-for-day time is considered, Kibler thought if Adams had been given the maximum sentence, he would have spent about a year in prison.

Under the probation, Adams was ordered to not drive a semi, surrender his CDL license, pay $2,000 plus court costs, undergo drug counseling, and make a $1,000 contribution to Drug Court in the name of Brianne Martin. Martin was a Drug Court graduate.

Kibler said he had hoped for prison time, but said "we respect the decision" by the judge.