LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
Emotions continue to run high for an Edgar County family and their community as more details surrounding the tragic death of a Chrisman man emrge.
On March 15, a devastating two-vehicle accident on Illinois Route 1, approximately one-quarter mile north of 1960th Road (Edgar-Bloomfield Road), resulted in the death of 70-year-old James Lutz. Lutz was declared dead on the scene by Edgar County corner Scott Barrett.
Four months later, on July 17, Barrett released an additional statement officially classifying the death as a homicide.
On the Friday in March, evidence at the scene and information provided by witnesses was compiled by both the Edgar County Sheriff’s Department and Illinois State Police. The resulting investigation concluded that a white, 2014 Ford F-150 was traveling northbound when the vehicle suddenly crossed the center lane and struck the southbound black 2001 Chevrolet Silverado truck driven by Lutz.
Upon impact, Lutz’s truck left the roadway, flipping and scattering a variety of items across both lanes, before coming to rest in a ditch on the west side of the highway. The northbound Ford F-150 continued to travel north for a short distance and came to rest in the southbound lane of the highway.
The driver of the Ford F-150 was later identified as 38-year-old Melissa Edwards of Marshall. Edwards required the assistance of first responders and paramedics to exit her vehicle and was taken by helicopter for immediate, life-saving medical treatment.
Illinois State Police, who arrived on the scene within two hours of the initial crash, closed Route 1 in both directions for several hours following the accident to perform a complete, comprehensive investigation.
“There were indications at the scene that she was under the influence,” State’s attorney Philip Dobelstein told a Prairie Press reporter.
It was later revealed that a toxicology test showed Edwards was under the influence of methamphetamine and ketamine at the time of the crash.
The evidence led to three charges being filed against Edwards on March 20 and on April 30 the charges were superseded and replaced with seven charges. Among the charges are a Class X Felony methamphetamine delivery, a Class 3 unlawful use or possession of weapons by a felon and a Class 2 DUI, driving while under the influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs, intoxicating compound or compounds or any combination thereof, resulting in death.
Edwards first appeared at the Edgar County Courthouse on May 2 and a preliminary hearing for the matter was held July 1. Edwards, who requested to hire a private council, pled not guilty to all charges and demanded a jury trial.
A jury trial was first scheduled Aug. 26 but the state requested the date be moved, due to the severity of the ordeal. Edwards is due back in court for a pre-trial hearing at 1:30 p.m. on July 29.
In the state of Illinois, the charge of aggravated DUI resulting in the death of a person carries a term of imprisonment of not less than three years and not more than 14 years.
The public is reminded that all people arrested, or otherwise charged, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.