SUN PRAIRIE RISING

Driver had license revoked due to previous OWIs

A Sun Prairie man accused in a fatal pedestrian crash in Madison earlier this year has pleaded not guilty, as new details from a criminal complaint outline the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Jordan Killerlain, 30, appeared in Dane County court Tuesday, where his attorney entered the plea on his behalf. He is charged with a felony: knowingly operating a motor vehicle after revocation, causing  revoked death, as well as a misdemeanor count for failing to comply with ignition interlock device requirements.

The charges stem from a Jan. 12 crash near the intersection of Packers Avenue and Londonderry Drive.

According to investigators, 77-year-old Mary Givens was crossing the northbound lanes of Packers Avenue during the afternoon just before 3:30 p.m. when she was struck by a vehicle driven by Killerlain. The impact threw her into the air before she landed on the roadway. Givens was transported to a local hospital, where she later died from her injuries.

Police say Killerlain remained at the scene and cooperated with officers. According to the complaint, he was unable to provide a driver’s license and instead presented an ID card, allegedly acknowledging that his license had been revoked due to prior OWI convictions. Authorities did note that field sobriety tests showed no signs of impairment.

Killerlain told officers he did not see Givens before the crash, reportedly saying “she came out of nowhere.” He estimated he was traveling between 30 and 35 miles per hour, and video evidence indicated he was moving at a speed similar to surrounding traffic.

Investigators also allege that Killerlain was required to have an ignition interlock device installed due to his prior convictions, but the vehicle he was driving—owned by his father—did not have one. His father told police he had lent him the vehicle because Killerlain’s own car was no longer operational.

Killerlain initially appeared in court shortly after the incident, when his cash bond was set at $35,000 with conditions including a prohibition on driving and no contact with the victim’s family. During Tuesday’s hearing, that bond was reduced to $15,000.

He is scheduled to return to court May 13 for a pre-trial conference. If convicted on the most serious charge, Killerlain could face up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine.