Illinois sheriff won't be charged in mother-in-law's accident death

CAIRO, Ill. -- A Southern Illinois prosecutor said he plans no charges against the sheriff who accidentally backed over and killed his 87-year-old mother-in-law.

Authorities have said Alexander County Sheriff David Barkett was backing out of his driveway in Cairo to respond to an emergency call early Feb. 18 when he ran over Mary Burnley.

The sheriff's department said Burnley lived next door to Barkett and that Barkett immediately reported the matter to Cairo police.

Illinois State Police, the Alexander County coroner's office and Cairo police investigated and turned their results to the state's attorney, Jeff Farris.

A message left with Farris seeking comment Tuesday was not immediately returned.