Godfrey woman sentenced in fatal DUI crash that killed 30-year-old Roxana father
A Godfrey woman was sentenced Friday for causing a crash on Interstate 255 that killed a 30-year-old father of two from Roxana.
Madison County Circuit Judge Richard Tognarelli sentenced Amanda K. Runtz, 24, to six years in prison for aggravated driving while under the influence causing death, a Class 2 felony, and aggravated driving while under the influence, a Class 4 felony.
Runtz had benzodiazepines that weren’t prescribed to her in her system when she made a U-turn and drove the wrong way on I-255, according to Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons, who cited toxicology reports.
Marlon D. Buford, 30, who was driving to work, was hit head-on by Runtz’s car. Another car, driven by Timothy J. Varble, 28, of Jerseyville, hit Buford’s car from behind, according to Illinois State Police.
The crash happened just after 10 p.m. Jan. 17, 2018.
Buford wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Varble and Runtz were taken to a hospital for treatment.
Runtz pleaded guilty to the DUI charges in September.
Buford’s two children, who are 3 and 6 years old, spoke at Runtz’s sentencing.
She will have to serve 85% of the six-year prison sentence.
