Man charged in death of veterans advocate Gary Lillie is released on bond
A man investigators said was drunken driving when he struck and killed a pedestrian Thursday in Scio Township has been released from the Washtenaw County Jail after posting bond Saturday afternoon, jail officials said Sunday morning.
Kevin Ronald Warren, 43, of Scio Township, who is charged with operating while intoxicated causing death and failing to stop at the scene of an accident resulting in death, paid $2,500 to get out.
He is accused in the death of 70-year-old Gary Lillie of Scio Township, a real estate agent, advocate for veterans and host of a weekly AM broadcast program called Veterans Radio.
During Warren's arraignment Saturday, Magistrate Thomas Truesdell set bond at $25,000, with the right to post 10 percent, noting that Warren has no criminal record.
Veterans advocate Gary Lillie was killed Thursday night while walking in Scio Township.
courtesy photo
Washtenaw County sheriff’s deputies said Warren was traveling east on Marshall Road in a sport utility vehicle about 11:30 p.m. Thursday when he struck and killed Lillie who was walking in the same direction. Lillie was thrown into a ditch.
Investigators said Warren left the scene and went home. AFter he arrived at home, he called 911 and then returned to the scene of the accident near Baker Road, where witnesses were with Lillie.
Warren was arrested and given a preliminary breath test, which he failed, investigators said. Deputies have not released results of that test or any other tests administered to determine Warren's blood-alcohol level.
If convicted, Warren faces a maximum of 15 years in prison on each felony charge. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 16.
(This story has been revised to correct information regarding the arrest of the suspect.) Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
porchbear
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 2:07 p.m.
"For the record- Gary Lillie was a non-drinker. He often took long walks along his beautiful country road at night. He wasn't doing anything strange or unusual- he loved being outdoors and on hot days would wait until evening to walk in cooler temperatures." Interesting that when a man is killed walking alone at night, it is NOT HIS FAULT. But women are SO STUPID for walking alone at night when there is a rapist on the loose!
John B.
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 2:35 p.m.
It's a matter of common sense. Apples and oranges, man, apples and oranges....
kdadnick
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 12:05 p.m.
I will NOT defend drunk....or even buzzed driving...ever. I am always a "designated driver". But I'll be surprised if there is anyone here who has never taken a drink (coffee/water/soda), eaten something, changed a radio station, or looked at your watch while driving. These are all distracted driving...now suppose in those seconds a pedestrian, cyclist, or even another car also makes a judgement in error (or even if they don't) which results in an accident. Should the accident be fatal are some of you proposing a life sentence? And how many of you know exactly how many drinks you can have before blowing a .08 on a breathalyzer? (It's not many.) I know there are a LOT of people on the road who are SURE they are not intoxicated who get behind the wheel of a car. This driver will pay for his crimes. The state has clearly outlined the penalties for all crimes...if you don't agree with the penalties, work to change them, but convicting and sentencing someone in this format, without the benefit of all the facts is why we also have an "innocent before being proven guilty" law. This man has come forward...he has been charged...now let our justice system do the work. As I said, if you don't like the penalties they way they are written, be constructive and work to change them. Most importantly, it sounds like our community has lost a very special person, and for that I am very sorry. My sympathy goes to the families of both men..... the road ahead is difficult for all.
John B.
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 2:33 p.m.
I suspect that the only reason that he came forward was that he thought he had hit a deer. He had chosen to drive while drunk, and hit and killed a pedestrian. I would agree that Gary made a very bad decision to walk with traffic, in the dark, on a rural road, late at night, but driving after drinking is inexcusable. That said, I doubt this fellow will spend more than a few months in jail, if he serves any jail time at all. Our penalties for killing someone with a motor vehicle in this country are almost laughable (if they weren't so sad).
jcj
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 12:56 p.m.
Well said.
Lynn Liston
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 11:43 a.m.
For those of us who were Gary's friends, there are levels of grief in this story. Not only are we stunned and borne down in sorrow by our personal loss of our dear friend, we know that the community also has lost a wonderful friend, contributor and advocate. It would be so easy to slip into anger and call for vengeance against the man who killed Gary, but that would detract our thoughts from the many positive things that Gary brought into our lives, his kindness, his generosity, his presence as an advocate for veterans. Rather than vengeance, I ask only for justice for this wonderful man who has been lost to us and that the good that he did in his life not be forgotten. For the record- Gary Lillie was a non-drinker. He often took long walks along his beautiful country road at night. He wasn't doing anything strange or unusual- he loved being outdoors and on hot days would wait until evening to walk in cooler temperatures. Peace.
T
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 10 a.m.
This was an unfortunate accident. I know the driver did not intend to hurt or kill Mr. Lillie. He is a friend that I have known for 30 years and he comes from a good family. He is a nice guy and a good father to his son. He made a mistake...period. He is not some hardened criminal that should be imprisoned for life as some of the posters to this column have suggested.
snoopdog
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 3:22 p.m.
Lots of more to research moving forward. Was the victim off the roadway when he was hit ? Was the victim's BAC tested ? Why was the victim walking on the right side with traffic on a country roadway with no lighting in the middle of the night ? Good Day
Ann English
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 10:54 p.m.
When I walked a dog in the dark hours of the morning, I always wore a reflective vest to be seen by motorists. One New York Times carrier always came to one neighbor to deliver a paper during the same time and we never came close to a collision at that time of day.
zip the cat
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 3:08 p.m.
I and I am sure tons of others think that if you kill someone albeit with a car or a gun or whatever you should get more of a sentence than a slap on the wrist or probation. I could care less if its a homeless person or a rapist or some other joe/jane. Take another life by whatever means deserves more than he will get at sentencing in this state,period.
John B.
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 2:25 p.m.
zoo man: if you think this fellow will serve anything more than a year or so in jail, you are mistaken. He may get only probation. That's how it works when you kill someone with a motor vehicle in this country. Sad, but true.
jcj
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 10:51 p.m.
Are you changing your tune now Zip? You were calling for a life sentence now just longer than you think he will get! If you still think he should get life you are off the wall. And I still contend if it were a homeless person you would be silent!
a2zoo
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 10:29 p.m.
And yes, before someone feels the need to point it out. I meant to say slap on the wrist, not in the wrist. Sorry,
a2zoo
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 10:11 p.m.
My brother in-law was killed two weeks ago when he inadvertently stepped in front of a car. Should the person who hit him get life in prison now. I think not.....in fact, we sent him a card and flowers as a way of saying we do not blame him. However, he did take a life, with a car, so I guess it is up the creek with him!!! And why do you assume that this man is going to get a slap in the wrist????? He will most likely serve a long prison sentence, a longer probation, lose his job, his livelyhood, his house, any savings he might have, respect of his peers, and again, he has to live with this for the rest of his life. He has to explain this to his children whom he will not not be able to spend time with, he will miss his grandchildren being born and so may other things. Why do you assume he is going to go happily off skipping through the tulips. He deserves to be punished severely for what he did, and he surely will be!!! He has unintentionally killed a good man...and he has to live with that as well as spend a good amount of the rest of his life in prison.
DBH
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 3:36 p.m.
I think you meant "...COULDN'T care less..."?
jcj
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 2:28 p.m.
I did not know Mr Lillie and I do not know the defendant. It is sad that the community has lost by all accounts a fine man to this senseless act. But for those that would send the suspect away for life because he took the life of such a fine man , I ask. Suppose it had been a homeless person killed? Or a a serial rapist? Would your cries for a life sentence be as loud? Or would he be a hero for the same senseless act if it were a criminal he negligently killed? While I completely agree that if convicted he needs to be sentenced to some time and not receive probation. To ask for a life sentence is over the top.
jcj
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 10:40 p.m.
I certainly never suggested he should not go to jail. I just don't think it should be for life as some have suggested. And my point was that if it had been a homeless person or a criminal the person calling for a life sentence would not be heard from!
mythoughts
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 2:56 p.m.
it does not matter who the person was that he killed - Homeless, serial rapist, decorated war veteran...he KILLED someone. end of story. The punishment needs to fit the crime, no time off for good behavior...again...he KILLED someone!
Cash
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 1:37 p.m.
And lastly: When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself. Wayne Dyer
DBH
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 3:46 p.m.
I think this quote is, to a large extent, valid. I wish all of the commenters on this site would keep this in mind when submitting comments.
nickcarraweigh
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 1:25 p.m.
On the one hand, if the commenters on annarbor.com had their way we could save a bunch of money because we would never need trials or prosecutors or judges or courtrooms or even spare keys, since everybody accused of a crime would draw an automatic life sentence. Parole? Don't make them laugh. On the other hand, if the commenters on annarbor.com had their way we could never afford to do anything else because everybody in the State of Michigan would be doing automatic life without parole; except, of course, for the commenters on annarbor.com
zip the cat
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 12:39 p.m.
@scott So you think he should get a slap on the wrist and walk free sentence Melinda Morris is term limited this year. You should take her place.. You both think alike. Thats why people keep driveing drunk they have people like yourself who think they should be given a no nothing sentence
Marc
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 8:06 p.m.
Totally agree with you, a2zoo
Eep
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 5:36 p.m.
"Melinda Morris is term limited this year." Really? There are no term limits for judges in Michigan. They do need to be less than 70 years old at the time of the election... is that what you meant?
jcj
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 2:29 p.m.
a2zoo I could not agree more on all counts
a2zoo
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 1:17 p.m.
Face it...He is not going to get life. He did not intentionally kill someone. He is however, going to get a long prison sentence. And, due to the fact that he is not someone who would intentionally kill someone, he is going to have to live the rest of his life with the agony of knowing he took the life of a good person while commiting a crime that could have easily been avoided. I personally cannot imagine having to live with that knowledge nor the knowledge that my family member or friend had been killed in such a manner. Bad, bad stuff all around.....
zip the cat
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 12:09 p.m.
15 yrs is absured for killing someone He took a life so he should do life,period. With the laws we have now he'll be lucky to see another jail cell,period I also think its bull when he said he thought he hit a deer.
Ricebrnr
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 1:56 p.m.
One would think it would stop him from driving and killing any more innocent and valued members of society...
scott
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 12:13 p.m.
"he took a life, so he should do life" What is the purpose of this? What does this accomplish?
actionjackson
Sun, Aug 7, 2011 : 12:02 p.m.
So sad to see such a fine man be taken out of society by someone who could have taken a cab, called a friend, or anything but drive if the driver was actually operating under the influence.