A Fairfield man currently serving a prison sentence for a fatal Wayne County crash is attempting to withdraw his guilty plea.
Jeremy L. Tucker, an inmate at Centralia Correctional Center, appeared in court last week before Judge Denton Aud, with Wayne County State’s Attorney, Kyle Ellis representing the state, regarding an amended motion to withdraw his guilty plea in Wayne County Circuit Court. Mount Vernon attorney Roger White has been appointed to represent Tucker in the matter. Court records indicate the request to withdraw the plea was prepared on April 20th and officially filed on May 22nd.
The case has been scheduled for a hearing on June 30th at 1:30 PM in Wayne County Circuit Court.
Tucker, now 50 years old, was sentenced in October of 2024 by Judge Denton Aud to 14 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections following the June 5th, 2023 crash that claimed the life of 15-year-old RE Carter of Fairfield.
Under Illinois law, Tucker must serve 85 percent of the sentence, which was the maximum penalty allowed under the aggravated DUI conviction involving a death. Tucker pleaded guilty to aggravated DUI causing death, a Class 2 felony, along with a DUI charge, a Class A misdemeanor.
According to Illinois State Police, Tucker was driving a truck tractor semi-trailer near 1800 East and 350 North in Wayne County when he crossed the center line. Authorities said Carter, who was operating a dirt bike, lost control and crashed as a result of the incident.