Driver of car resulting in fatal October accident pleads not guilty

By Brittney Nadler

Willie Craft Sr. pleaded not guilty Friday to two counts of aggravated DUI and one count of reckless homicide that resulted in the death of student Mimi Liu and injury of student Spandana Mantravadi on Oct. 9.

Craft requested a trial by jury for a date after Jan. 2 following the judge’s announcement of Craft’s pretrial date. He also requested a low bond, reasoning that the accident occurred from a medical condition rather than a drug condition, said Alfred D. Ivy, his attorney.

Craft was under the influence of cannabis when the accident occurred. Additionally, Ivy asked the court to consider that Craft is diabetic and had low blood sugar from not eating breakfast that morning.

Craft’s bond is set at $250,000 and his pretrial will take place Jan. 7 at 10:30 a.m. in Courtroom E at the Champaign County Courthouse.