ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — A Geneseo woman accused of drunk driving and killing another woman in Rock Island in 2021 now has a sentencing date.
At a Nov. 27 hearing, Brittany Griswold pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated DUI, while her other charges were dropped.
As part of a tentative plea deal agreed to by Griswold's lawyer and Assistant State's Attorney Jennifer Gardner, Griswold would serve eight years in prison. Per Illinois law, she would be expected to serve 85% of that sentence.
The plea deal has to be made final at a sentencing hearing on Feb. 23 at 1 p.m.
After the hearing, Nache's family said they are one step closer to seeking justice for Cecilia.
"It hurts inside, what has happened to her," Nache's aunt Genie Meyer said. "I want justice for my niece, no matter what."
The family reiterated that the case has never been about the punishment — rather, they wanted Griswold to accept responsibility for Cecilia's death. "I love her, from the bottom of my heart, and it's kinda hard to let it go, just like that. I want justice to be done," Meyer added.
The August 2021 Crash
Griswold is accused of driving drunk at a Rock Island campground in August 2021, killing Cecilia Nache in a head-on crash. Court proceedings were repeatedly delayed through continuations and motions to dismiss.
Additionally, Griswold has remained out on recognizance bond rather than bail, meaning she hasn't paid any money yet. She has not served any jail time in relation to this case.
When asked about the significance of setting the sentencing date, Nache's sister Blanca Leil explained, "holding people accountable, so they can take responsibility for what they have done, which has impacted not just myself, but my whole family, and [Cecilia's] children, and the community."
"I think once it's all said and done, then it's about the facts, and I'm not sure if it's comforting or not — I think only time will tell," sister Elizabeth Nache said.