Caleb Lenhardt

A Bethalto man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to driving his car into a group of people in 2018, killing a 21-year-old woman and injuring another.

Caleb Lenhardt, 22, pleaded guilty to aggravated driving under the influence causing death after a jury was divided on charges against him. After five days of testimony and evidence, and nearly a full day of deliberations, the jury submitted a note Thursday morning (Jan. 16) stating they were hung at a 7-5 vote on whether or not Lenhardt was guilty of first-degree murder or reckless homicide in the July 22, 2018 accident.

Convicting Lenhardt of first-degree murder required finding that the killing of Katie Bunt was either done with the intent to do great bodily harm or death, or that the defendant committed the acts that killed Bunt knowing such acts created a strong possibility of death or great bodily harm. Reckless homicide, by contrast, required a finding that the defendant killed Bunt unintentionally.

Because of the jury deadlock and the impending mistrial and retrial of the case, plea negotiations began. While First Assistant State’s Attorney Crystal Uhe said she was confident in the first-degree murder conviction, prosecutors met with Bunt’s family who expressed they could not withstand another trial.

“Out of respect and understanding for the family and all of the witnesses who have felt the pain of this trial, our prosecutors consulted with the defense to negotiate a plea for the defendant,” the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

Lenhardt plead guilty to aggravated driving under the influence causing death and aggravated battery.

The victim, Katie Bunt, suffered multiple fatal injuries after the defendant reversed his car into a crowd of people, running her over while accelerating his tires over her body before fleeing the scene. Bunt died July 22, 2018 as a result of her injuries.

The second victim, Ashley Allgood, was also struck by the defendant’s car. Allgood suffered multiple injuries, including lifelong nerve injury.

Lenhardt pleaded guilty to aggravated battery for Allgood’s injuries.
Lenhardt had no prior felonies. Thus, if the jury would have found him guilty of reckless homicide, a sentence of probation would have been presumed under the law. By negotiating a plea of aggravated driving under the influence causing death, Lenhardt received a longer sentence than the maximum sentence allowable for a conviction of reckless homicide.

First Assistant State’s Attorney Uhe noted that “Every case presents unique challenges. This case was no different. It is not in my nature to back down from difficult cases like this. I will continue to try the hard cases in order to seek justice for victims of violent crimes. My heart goes out to all of the many victims in this case and their families.”

Lenhardt will be required to serve no less than 85 percent of his 10-year sentence. On the aggravated battery conviction, the defendant was sentenced to four years. Lenhardt will then be required to serve three years supervised release.
“We are glad to see a large number of jurors agreed with our theory of the case, but, the United States Constitution requires a unanimous verdict for a citizen to be found guilty of a crime,” Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons said. “Knowing we would have to risk an acquittal or try the case again, we consulted with Katie’s family and all agreed it would be best to secure a guilty plea and prison sentence instead of risking the possibility the defendant would walk without being held accountable.”

Gibbons praised Uhe and Assistant State’s Attorney Katie Wykoff for their time spent prosecuting the case. Likewise, Gibbons commended the work of the Alton Police Department, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Division, Illinois State Police Division of Forensic Sciences, doctors and medical staff at Alton Memorial and St. Anthony’s hospitals, and the Madison County Coroner’s Office.

“This trial was grueling and distressing for all involved. I want to thank Judge Kyle Napp who conducted a fair and just trial,” Gibbons said. “I would also like to thank the jurors for their attentiveness weighing the evidence and arguments in this case. ”