Man Charged for Deadly Accident

A Collinsville man was alleged to have driven drunk when he crashed his car killing five people in Hamilton County.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Darrell G. Delong, 49, is charged with five aggravated DUIs and Reckless Homicide after five people died.
Robert L. Parker, 49, Lori S. Parker, 42, Tammy A. Delong, 35, and Katelynn Fancher, 16, all of Collinsville, died in the crash. Diana N. Wright, 23, of McLeansboro, IL was also killed. Darrell Delong was the lone survivor.

The accident occurred on Saturday, November 23rd, just before 10:30 pm on Hamilton County Road 750E and Hamilton County Road 1000N.
Authorities say Delong lost control of a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer and it rolled over several times.

Felony DWI charges may result in extensive jail time or fines. These penalties can place motorists in tough positions by forcing them into debt or limiting their job eligibility for years after they’re originally convicted. Those with families to support may not be able to provide for their children, and if they lose their driving rights, they may not even be able to perform basic tasks, such as taking care of their dependents on a daily basis. Alternate sentences could allow these individuals to attend to their responsibilities, and DWI defense attorneys might be able to help motorists structure defenses that increase their chances of successfully petitioning judges for reduced charges.

Source: KTVI, “Man charged with DUI in fatal crash that killed 5“, Vera Culley, December 6, 2013