Circuit Judge Susan Jordan sentenced Tanner Williams, March 28, to 36 months of probation after he pleaded no contest to one count of reckless driving causing death.
JACKSON, MI – He will never forget the day he took a life, Tanner Williams said.
« I could say sorry a million times and that would not bring her back, » Williams said. « If I could, I would trade my life to bring her back. She will be with me the rest of my life. Every decision I make, she will be in my mind. »
Circuit Judge Susan Jordan sentenced Williams, March 28, to 36 months of probation after he pleaded no contest to one count of reckless driving causing death for crashing into 62-year-old June Whedon while she was out on a bike ride Oct. 22,2016.
Williams was originally charged with one felony count of operating while intoxicated causing death, records show.
« There is no good that will come out of this unless you do something to honor (Whedon), and it sounds like you want to do that, » Jordan said in passing down her sentence.
Up until the crash, Williams had no previous misdemeanors, felonies or points on his driving record, and he is respected in the Concord community, his attorney Kenneth Hotchkiss said.
« He has never had any issues with the law and I doubt he will ever have any again, » Hotchkiss said.
Whedon was heading west on Sears Road near Bowerman Road in Spring Arbor Township when Williams, traveling the same direction, hit her with his truck as she was riding near the white edge line of the two-lane country road, a preliminary investigation showed.
Whedon suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash and was flown to the University of Michigan Medical Center after first being taken to Henry Ford Allegiance Health.
She died 26 days later from her injuries.
Test results showed Williams had a blood alcohol content of .066 when he crashed into Whedon.
Whedon’s husband, Dennis Whedon, spoke before the court, telling Williams how his decision to drive that night took away his best friend and denied her the opportunity to enjoy her retirement.
« I don’t want you to go to prison, » he said, holding back tears. « I want you to think about the hurt you caused for the rest of your life. She just retired and was excited to enjoy her time. We were scheduled to go to go to England eight days after the day you hit her. It breaks my heart you denied her so many opportunities. »
Williams appeared remorseful listening to Whedon’s husband as he described his loss.
Whedon taught English at Western High School for 18 years, presenting her methods nationally, becoming department chairwoman and earning an award from the Jackson Women’s History Council in honor of activist Susan B. Anthony.
She retired in June 2016. She and her husband were to visit world capitals starting with the London trip.
A restitution hearing is forthcoming, with no dates yet scheduled.
