A Granite City man was sentenced to natural life in prison without the possibility of parole in the April 29, 2022 death of Knox County Sheriff’s Deputy Nicholas Weist.
Weist, 34, was setting spike strips to stop a car chase on U.S. Route 150 when he was struck by Daylon K. Richardson's vehicle south of Alpha in Henry County.
Speeds reached 110 mph in the chase, which started when Richardson waved a gun in the air at a Galesburg gas station.
Richardson, now 26, was convicted of murder in Henry County last year, along with charges of a felon being in possession of a weapon and aggravated fleeing and eluding.
Prosecutors asked for a natural life sentence on the murder conviction. 14th Circuit Judge Norma Kauzlarich granted that, along with 13 years to be served concurrently on the other charges.
In a statement posted to Facebook, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office said justice has been served.
“While nothing can bring back the life of our brother, the life sentence imposed brings us one step closer to healing and closure,” the statement reads. “We continue to stand with the family, friends, and colleagues of our fallen deputy. His sacrifice will never be forgotten, and his legacy will continue to inspire and protect.”
Weist was a father of two and a graduate of the law enforcement program at Western Illinois University.
It’s likely his actions saved lives on that day three years ago.
Less than a mile north of where he was struck and killed on U.S. Route 150, students at AlWood Elementary School were crossing the highway to get to school that morning.
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