Sheldon Man Appears in Taylor County Court for Hitting Two Hunters
Wednesday, January 8th, 2014 -- 8:23 AM
-A Sheldon man had an initial appearance in Taylor County Court on Tuesday for hitting two hunters with his vehicle during the 2013 gun deer season.According to the Taylor County Sheriff?s Department, 52-year-old Juan Salinas of Roscoe, Illinois and 53-year-old Fernando Salinas also of Roscoe, Illinois, were struck by a vehicle. Juan Salinas died of his injuries. The accident happened at Miller Avenue and County Line Road, 9 miles west of Gilman.
According to authorities, the driver of the vehicle that hit the two hunters, 42-year-old James Winchel of Sheldon, was driving at a high rate of speed, close to 50 mph, and the two hunters couldn?t get out of the way. Authorities said that Winchel?s blood alcohol level was .19%, more than double the legal limit and he admitted to police that he had several beers before the incident.
During the initial appearance, a preliminary hearing was requested and they also requested that Winchel's $50,000 cash bond be modified so he could enter a treatment program. The court denied his request.
Winchel is charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and OWI causing injury.
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