28-year old Lance C. Neal has agreed to a sentence of 12 years of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to the offenses of failure to report an accident causing death, Class 1 felony, and reckless homicide, Class 3 felony. Kane County Judge Salvatore LoPiccolo accepted the plea.
The crash killed 52-year-old Sandra Sampey of Bartlett. She was riding a bicycle. A second bicyclist also was struck and suffered life-threatening injuries.
At about 4 p.m. July 28. 2020, Neal was driving a car in the area of East Chicago Street and North Spring Street when he struck a vehicle and fled the scene. The driver of the vehicle followed Neal and flagged down an officer, who pursued Neal south on Raymond Street and attempted to stop him. Neal continued to accelerate, moving at about 56 mph in a 30 mph zone, until he lost control of the vehicle and struck two bicyclists in the area of Raymond Street and Purify Drive. Neal abandoned the car and fled on foot. He was taken into custody about two hours later.
n accordance with Illinois law, Neal is eligible for day-for-day sentencing. Neal receives credit for 353 days served in the Kane County jail.
Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser said:
“On July 28, 2020, John Sampey was enjoying a bike ride with his wife, Sandy. That day ended in tragedy because of the reckless choices made by this defendant. Lance Neal, who was not legally able to drive, struck another car then chose to flee. He then struck Sandy Sampey, taking her life, and John Sampey, causing him permanent damage to his leg.
His selfish behavior means their two teenage sons lost their mother and had to see their father struggle to live. My heart goes out to this family that has lived since through unimaginable pain. We hope Mr. Neal takes the time in prison to understand the effects of his choices and that he remembers every day what he has done. I hope Sandra Sampey’s family and friends believe justice has been served. My thanks to the Elgin Police Department’s Traffic Unit, the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, and Assistant State’s Attorney Joe Cullen, who prosecuted this case.”
