A Wisconsin lady who struck her husband with her truck while driving intoxicated and dragged his body across the road pleaded guilty to a lesser offense.
Mary Jane Terry, 50, was first charged with first-degree intentional homicide after police accused her of killing her husband, Donald Britten Jr., by hitting him with her truck on October 19, 2023. According to the criminal complaint, a neighbor heard a “prolonged thud” outside his window that night as brake lights shone into his home.
After the thud, he informed police that he heard a “doo, doo, doo, doo” sound, which turned out to be Britten’s body being dragged by Terry’s truck. He was discovered lying dead in the roadway.
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When police arrived at the scene, Forest County Sheriff’s Deputy William Stanley recognized Britten because he had known both Britten and Terry for almost 20 years. Terry was standing beside her late husband’s body when Stanley arrived. She reportedly repeatedly questioned the officer, “Billy, is he dead?”
Stanley attempted CPR on Britten but found no signs that he was still alive. When Stanley asked Terry if Britten had been hit by a truck, she responded, “Yes.” But when asked who was driving the truck, she replied, “I don’t know, he had my truck.”
Terry eventually admitted that she had driven the truck at one point to get her phone from her home, but she disputed that she was the one who hit her husband.
According to the report, another deputy detected Terry’s alcoholic odor.
Terry underwent a field sobriety test, which included a breath test. Terry blew 0.298, over four times the legal limit of 0.08. Terry was arrested after visiting the hospital for a blood draw.
Terry’s account of the incident changed over time, raising suspicions about her involvement in the tragic crash. Terry’s case grew stronger, and the bar owner was charged with first-degree intentional killing and homicide by intoxicated driving.
On January 6, Terry pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of homicide by impaired driving. As part of the plea agreement, the allegation of first-degree intentional homicide was withdrawn. She is scheduled to be sentenced on May 16.
