A Middlebury man has been sentenced in connection with a 2024 crash that seriously injured his now-wife.

41-year-old Demiris Williams received a five-year sentence after pleading guilty to causing serious bodily injury while operating a vehicle with a Schedule I or II controlled substance in his system. One year of the sentence was suspended to probation, while the remaining four years are to be served through Elkhart County Community Corrections, with a recommendation for home detention.

The crash happened on County Road 18 near Middlebury when investigators say Williams drove off the road, struck a mailbox and a tree, then rolled the SUV. He told deputies he may have fallen asleep while driving after leaving a bowling alley and admitted drinking beer earlier in the day. Court records say he later tested positive for THC.

His passenger, who is now his wife, suffered multiple broken bones and other serious injuries.

Elkhart Receives $1.5 Million for Downtown Project

The City of Elkhart has secured a $1.5 million state READI grant to help expand downtown development.

The funding will support the Love Plaza and Freight Street District project along South Main Street. Plans include new apartments, retail and commercial space, and improvements to the southern entrance into downtown. City officials say the project will also add affordable housing, with rents expected to range from about $500 to $1,600 a month.

The investment is part of the ASPIRE Elkhart initiative and honors the legacy of the late Kelby Love while building on the history of the South Main corridor and the Benham neighborhood.