By Associated Press
CHESTER, Ill. ā A man who pleaded guilty to reckless homicide in the death of a southern Illinois police officer who crashed during a 2016 high-speed chase has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Thirty-five-year-old Jason Stoker of Chester didn’t attend Thursday’s sentencing hearing, but the judge accepted an agreement between prosecutors and the defense for the prison term. He’s already in federal prison after being sentenced in May to 15 years in a case involving the sale of methamphetamine.
The new sentence will be served at the same time.
Chester Officer James Brockmeyer crashed his patrol car while pursuing Stoker. Authorities say Stoker was blamed for the death because he didn’t comply with the officer’s orders and was driving at a high speed. The 22-year-old officer also was a volunteer firefighter.
