Adams Headed for Prison

The western Illinois trucker who tested positive for cocaine has been sentenced in Effingham County to five years in prison for his role in a fatal crash in 2014.

62-year-old John H. Adams of Beardstown was placed on probation following the crash in which a vehicle driven by 22-year-old Brianne Martin of Effingham struck the rear of Adams' semi-trailer. Adams had attempted to use the emergency median turnaround but left the back of the trailer out on the roadway where it was struck by Martin's vehicle.

(JOHN ADAMS)

Adams was placed on 30 months' probation after tests indicated any cocaine used by Adams prior to the crash would not have impaired him at the time of the crash. Instead, it was argued his carelessness in not getting the rig off the roadway resulted in the crash.

Adams, though, has continued to be tested for drug use during his probation and it was determined that he has been using cocaine. He also was arrested in Cass County for driving while his license was revoked. That led to his re-sentencing by Judge Kimberly Koester to the prison term. Following his time in prison, Adams will have to serve a year of mandatory supervised release.