Ex-drug agent gets suspended sentence in fatal crash

CASSVILLE, Mo. -- A former undercover drug agent entered an Alford plea Wednesday and received a five-year suspended sentence in a collision that killed a southwest Missouri teenager.

Jerome McIlvaine, 26, entered the plea on an involuntary manslaughter charge as his trial was about to begin in Barry County. An Alford plea means McIlvaine agrees there is enough evidence to convict him if case had gone to trial.

Desiree Evans, 17, of Seligman, was killed in the collision, which occurred in May 2001 on Route W a mile west of Butterfield. A passenger in her car was seriously injured.

Authorities estimated McIlvaine was driving at least 22 mph over the 55 mph posted speed limited.

McIlvaine was on duty with the Southwest Missouri Drug Task Force at the time of the accident. He was later fired.