Woman sentenced for DUI accident that killed 10-year-old Peoria boy in 2021

PEORIA— A Peoria woman was sentenced Thursday to 22 years in prison for being intoxicated when the pickup truck she was driving struck and killed a young boy. She then fled the scene.

During the hearing, Karrie L. Brunswig, 44, turned and apologized to the family of 10-year-old Troy Erving who died shortly after 7 p.m. Nov. 9, 2021. The boy was riding an electric bike when he was struck by Brunswig's pickup truck.

Chief Peoria County Judge Katherine Gorman handed down a 10-year sentence for aggravated DUI and a 12-year sentence for leaving the scene in connection with Erving's death. Brunswig also was convicted of possession of a controlled substance and possession of methamphetamine which netted her a combined three-year sentence.

All must be served consecutive to each other for a total of 25 years. The aggravated DUI charge must be served at 85% while the rest of them are eligible for day-for-day "good-time" credit.

Background:Mom of 'energetic' 10-year-old killed in hit-and-run recalls his love of bikes, outdoors

Brunswig pleaded guilty in August as part of a plea deal with Peoria County prosecutors that capped any potential term at 30 years. Without the deal, she could have faced much more time in prison.

The fatal crash occurred in the 1600 block of Northeast Glen Oak Avenue. A doctor was driving home at the time, saw Erving, stopped his car and began to perform CPR on the boy before he was rushed to an area hospital, according to court records.

About six hours after the crash, a person who said she had been in the pickup truck with Brunswig went to the police station to talk to officers after she heard about the crash on the news, according to a court affidavit. The passenger said Brunswig had driven them around Peoria and the county since 10 a.m. that day, and told police she saw Brunswig use alcohol, crack cocaine and methamphetamines, the document stated.

The passenger said they'd been in the area of the collision and feared they were involved, though she said Brunswig had told her they'd only hit a deer. She admitted to police she “waited a few hours to sober up and came in to report the incident,” according to the affidavit.

With credit for about 11 months already served, Brunswig could get out of prison in a bit less than 15 years.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria woman gets 22 years for DUI, leaving scene of fatal crash