Wisconsin Woman Pleads Guilty in Drunken Truck Collision That Killed Husband

Mary Jane Terry, 50, is pictured in a police mugshot following charges of first-degree intentional homicide in connection with the death of her husband on October 19, 2023. ( Image Credit: Law and Crime)

Wisconsin Woman Pleads Guilty to Lesser Charge in Drunken Collision That Killed Her Husband

A Wisconsin woman accused of fatally striking her husband with her truck while driving under the influence has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge. Mary Jane Terry, 50, initially faced first-degree intentional homicide charges after police alleged she killed her husband, Donald Britten Jr., on October 19, 2023.

According to the criminal complaint, a neighbor reported hearing a “prolonged thud” outside his window, followed by a “doo, doo, doo” sound, which investigators later determined to be Britten’s body being dragged by Terry’s truck. The tragic incident occurred late at night, and Britten’s body was found lying in the street.

When law enforcement arrived, Forest County Sheriff’s Deputy William Stanley, who had known both Terry and Britten for over 20 years, identified the victim. Terry was present at the scene and repeatedly asked Stanley, “Billy, is he dead?” Stanley attempted CPR but found no signs of life.

Initially, Terry claimed she didn’t know who was driving the truck, stating, “I don’t know, he had my truck.” However, she later admitted to driving the vehicle earlier to retrieve her phone but denied striking her husband.

The investigation revealed that Terry was heavily intoxicated at the time of the incident. A field sobriety test and a breathalyzer indicated her blood alcohol content was 0.298, nearly four times the legal limit of 0.08. Following a blood draw at a local hospital, Terry was arrested and booked into the Forest County Jail.

As inconsistencies in her story emerged, authorities charged Terry with first-degree intentional homicide and homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. During a court hearing on January 6, Terry entered a guilty plea to the reduced charge of homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle. The first-degree intentional homicide charge was dropped as part of a plea deal. Terry is scheduled for sentencing on May 16.

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