Dunn found guilty of aggravated DUI

Posted on October 1, 2015

Joshua Dunn was the driver in the accident which kill Benjamin Allison. (Photo courtesy McLean County Jail)

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – The driver in the accident which killed an Illinois State University student in January has been found guilty of aggravated DUI causing death.

Joshua Dunn had previously been found guilty of misdemeanor DUI and various traffic offenses relating to the death of Benjamin Allison. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to leaving the scene of an accident involving death.

Prosecutor Jeff Horve said there are no winners in this case.

“The Allison’s lost their only son, and for them this will never be over. Jordan and Joey lost their best friend, and this will never be over for them,” said Horve. “For the defendant in this case, it’ll end someday when the sentence is over. But for them it’ll never end and this is not a good day for anyone.”

Horve explained Dunn had marijuana in his system at the time of the accident.

“The law is if you have that in your system, along with any bad driving or proximate cause, that’s enough to meet the burden,” Horve said.

Dunn will remain out on bond until he is sentenced on Nov. 20. He faces up to 29 years in prison.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…