WOODSTOCK – A Wisconsin woman who authorities said was under the influence of heroin in a May 6 crash that killed a Woodstock woman and seriously injured her husband was sentenced to 16 years in prison Wednesday.
McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather sentenced Sheree Ann Shaw, 46, before a packed courtroom after her guilty plea in April to two counts of aggravated driving under the influence.
Shaw will have to serve 85 percent of her sentence, according to state law. She will get credit for time spent in McHenry County Jail since her July 2016 arrest.
Shaw faced up to 26 years in prison.
Prosecutors said Shaw was driving a 2002 Ford Taurus near the 2500 block of Richmond Road on May 6 when she tried to change lanes several times, crossed into a no-passing zone and struck Mike Thornton, 40, with passenger Amy Thornton, his wife of nearly 20 years, on a 2007 Harley-Davidson Road Glide.
The two were on an excursion discussing college plans for their son, who was about to graduate from Woodstock North High School. The Woodstock couple has two sons, Zach and Michael.
Amy Thornton, 42, worked as a nurse for 20 years. She died nine days after the crash at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. Mike Thornton suffered a shattered left shoulder and left pelvis, and since has had six surgeries.
Shaw was first taken into custody after the crash and charged with driving without a valid driver’s license and insurance but posted bond shortly thereafter and returned to Wisconsin. She then was arrested in Walworth County on upgraded charges but was again released on a $2,500 recognizance bond.
Shaw failed to appear in McHenry County court June 7, and Prather issued a warrant for her arrest. She was extradited from Las Vegas after missing court appearances in Wisconsin and Illinois. Authorities have said Shaw was visiting family in Las Vegas when she was arrested.
The judge said that Shaw had a long history of drug abuse, and characterized the incident a "horrendous crime." However, Prather said she believed Shaw was "truly remorseful."
Mike Thornton, who spoke during the hearing, said the crash changed his life forever.
"I lost my best friend, my wife, the mother to my children and a beautiful person," he said through tears.
Zach Thornton and Michael Thornton both spoke about the pain of losing their mother and the effect her death will have on the rest of their lives.
"I look at my family and wish we could return to the way we once were," Zach Thornton said.
Amy Thornton's mother, Susan Sweet, said she often turned to her daughter for advice, and quickly realized she wouldn't be able to continue to do so in her old age.
"I hold her memory close to my heart because that's all I have left," she said.
Assistant State's Attorney Michael Combs said what Shaw did was "outrageous," and believed it was a "totally avoidable crime."
"She's a selfish drug addict," Combs said. "This is not some naive person, some young person."
Shaw's lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Angelo Mourelatos, said although the crime was "senseless and could have been avoided," he believed his client has accepted responsibility for her actions.
Mourelatos said his client lived a mostly law abiding life until things took a turn for the worse in 2011. He said Shaw began abusing prescription drugs, and at one point was taking 300 pills a month. She then turned to cocaine and methamphetamine in 2014 and later moved to heroin, he said.
He said Shaw took advantage of treatment opportunities while in custody, including the Celebrate Recovery inside program at the McHenry County Jail. Denise Learned, one of the facilitators of the program, said although her participation was hesitant at first, she became a regular attendee and spoke freely about her addiction.
Shaw's daughter, Alexandria Burdette, flew in for the hearing from Las Vegas. Burdette is one of Shaw's three children. She described her mother as a caring and selfless person who provided her with unconditional love and mentorship.
"No matter what, I will continue to support her through thick and thin," Burdette said.
Shaw, when given the opportunity to speak, said being incarcerated made her realize how much her drug addiction has ruined her life.
She said she was "not in her right mind" at the time of the crash and understood if the Thornton family never forgave her.
"Just please give me a chance to right my wrongs," Shaw said to the court.
