Father sentenced in drunk-driving crash that killed his children

DANVILLE  (AP) — A judge has sent an eastern Illinois man to prison for 14 years for driving drunk in an accident that killed his two children.

Vermilion County Circuit Judge Claudia Anderson gave 32-year-old Keith Heer of Ogden the maximum allowable sentence in court Tuesday. He pleaded guilty to aggravated driving under the influence.

The June 22nd wreck killed his children, 2-year-old Genevieve and 1-year-old Hunter. It was the little boy’s birthday.

Police estimate that Heer was driving just under 90 miles an hour on a country road when he drove into a bridge guard rail. His blood-alcohol level was more than double the legal limit.

Heer has said he drank at least six beers before the wreck.

Ogden is about 15 miles east of Champaign.