Michael Marsh Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison for Reckless Homicide

[May 24, 2017]  On March 7, 2017, Associate Judge William Workman sentenced Michael Marsh to 7 years to the Illinois Department of Corrections for Reckless Homicide, a class 2 felony.

On September 20, 2015, Jamal Horvath was operating a tow truck on the right shoulder of the northbound section of Interstate 55 assisting a disabled vehicle. With amber lights activated, Jamal Horvath prepared the disabled vehicle to be placed on the horizontal bed of the tow truck. While performing these duties, Michael Marsh was driving a semi-truck in the far right lane of northbound I-55. Mr. Marsh did not make the required lane change nor did Mr. Marsh slow down. Rather, the semi-truck crossed the right fog line of the right lane striking Jamal Horvath and the tow truck. The crash took the life of Jamal Horvath.

On January 11, 2017, Mr. Marsh pleaded guilty to Reckless Homicide, a class 2 felony, and the case was set on March 7, 2017 for a sentencing hearing. On that date, Associate Judge William Workman conducted a sentencing hearing and held that a sentence of probation would deprecate the seriousness of this offense and sentenced Michael Marsh to 7 years in prison.

The offense allows for a minimum sentence of probation up to a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. Mr. Marsh had no prior criminal history and had three moving violations.

This sentence sends a serious message. When approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle displaying warning lights, the law requires the driver to approach with due caution and make a lane change – if possible – or reduce speed. In addition, the law expanded on January 1st of this year to include any vehicle that has its hazard lights on. We must be diligent to attend to the safety of our roads and highways.

[Jonathan C. Wright
Logan County State’s Attorney]