Illinois State Police Arrests Highland Man for Reckless Homicide After Two Killed in Hamel Crash
October 28, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2026
HAMEL – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 6 Special Agents arrested 30-year-old Garret C. Miller of Highland, IL, following a crash in Madison County that killed two people.
On October 25, 2026, at approximately 5:43 p.m., ISP Troopers responded to a crash on IL-140 west of Hoxey Road in Hamel. Miller was driving a GMC truck eastbound on IL-140 and for an unknown reason crossed the center lane markings entering the westbound lanes. The truck struck a Dodge sedan head-on. The driver of the sedan, 65-year-old Justina L. Tennikait of Bethalto, was pronounced deceased on scene. The passenger of the sedan, 84-year-old Sharon C. Powell also of Bethalto, was transported to a regional hospital and later pronounced deceased. Miller was also transported to a hospital with injuries.
On October 27, 2026, ISP presented the case to the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office, which approved two counts of Aggravated DUI Resulting in Death (Class 2 Felony) and two counts of Reckless Homicide (Class 3 Felony). Miller remains in custody at the Madison County Jail pending his first court appearance.
The charges are not evidence against the defendant, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
###