In a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves through the small community of Leona, Wisconsin, a 50-year-old woman has been charged with homicide after allegedly running over her husband with a pickup truck. The incident occurred during the late hours of October, following a night of drinking at a local bar.
The Forest County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting that a man, later identified as Donald Britain Jr., was lying injured in the middle of Highway 8. Emergency responders arrived on the scene to find Britain deceased. Shortly thereafter, deputies encountered his wife, Mary Jane Terry, who had returned home in the pickup truck believed to be involved in the accident.
As deputies questioned Terry, she initially denied running over her husband, claiming she had not seen him in the road. “I swear to God, I didn’t,” she insisted, despite the evidence suggesting otherwise. Terry explained that she had been at home when she saw the truck stop and asserted that her husband was already lying in the street when she came outside.
However, as investigators pieced together the timeline, it became evident that Terry had been drinking heavily earlier that evening. Surveillance footage revealed her purchasing a case of beer before driving off in the same truck just hours prior to the incident. When asked about her level of intoxication, she admitted to drinking more than usual that day.
As the interrogation continued, deputies conducted field sobriety tests, which Terry struggled to complete. A portable breathalyzer test revealed her blood alcohol content to be an alarming 0.298, nearly four times the legal limit. Following this revelation, deputies informed her that she would be charged with reckless homicide by a motor vehicle.
During the investigation, witnesses reported hearing arguments between the couple prior to the incident. Terry claimed that the couple had a history of disputes, often fueled by alcohol, but maintained that she was not responsible for her husband’s death. Despite her insistence of innocence, detectives expressed their belief that the circumstances pointed towards an accident stemming from her intoxication.
Terry was ultimately charged with first-degree intentional homicide and homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. She later accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to the lesser charge of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. The initial charge was dropped, but she received a sentence of 10 years in prison, followed by an additional 10 years of extended supervision.
This heartbreaking case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of drinking and driving, as well as the devastating consequences that can arise from reckless behavior. The community mourns the loss of Donald Britain Jr., while the legal proceedings surrounding his wife’s actions continue to unfold.
