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Shetland Pony Dies After Struck by Drunk ATV Rider: Sheriff

A 33-year-old Yorkville area man allegedly struck a Shetland pony that was in the road about 3 a.m. Sunday, according to Kendall County Sheriff's police.

The Shetland pony that sheriff's police said was struck by a drunk ATV rider early Sunday had to be put down due to its injuries.

The pony, named Dory, had escaped from its corral and was standing on Brisbin Road near Helmar Road about 3 a.m., police said. Quintin Wissmiller, 33, of the 11500 block of Brisbin Road, was driving a Polaris Ranger ATV when he struck the pony, the news release stated.

Wissmiller was charged with driving under the influence and driving with a revoked driver’s license, police said. Paramedics took him to Morris Hospital, where police released him on his own recognizance due to his injuries.

This isn't Wissmiller's first drunken driving arrest. He pleaded guilty to felony aggravated driving under the influnce in September 2009 and was sentenced to 30 months of probation and two months in jail, Kendall County court records show.

Kendall County State's Attorney Eric Weis said his office was reviewing the case, as well as Wissmiller's prior cases, on Monday afternoon. Charges could be upgraded.

The ATV accident happened southeast of Yorkville near Plattville.

Editor's note: This article was updated about 3:15 p.m. Monday with information about Wissmiller's court record.

Steve Goldman June 20, 2012 at 04:05 pm
I will once you get an education. Check your spelling and punctuation you genius!!!
Steve Goldman June 20, 2012 at 04:23 pm
The least you could do is make your new name correct. Please change it to smarter THAN Steve Goldman. Thank you.
Gossip Hater June 20, 2012 at 04:24 pm
This might not be a huge media company but this is not the only place this story has published...it's amazing how this small town guy gets so much publicity over something as stupid as this accident. And the worst part is, people are more concerned about the pony then the person!
And you are entitled to your opinion Katy K but why don't you wait till you have all the facts first, not just allegations, and then form an opinion, then maybe people wouldn't be so negative towards you! And I must have missed the comment that had name calling?!?! And yes, I did stick up for the fireman accused of theft, because the same thing is happening on this story...people running their mouth before they know anything beyond what the media posts so quickly after an incident. How much info and investigating can really be done in that short amount of time?!?! Oh and have you seen anything posted about the fireman being convicted?!?! Nope, because again, they were allegations that were not investigated completely!
B.L. June 20, 2012 at 04:55 pm
So Katy k says people calling names yet she calls people losers. I guess it's ok for her to do it.
Steve Goldman June 20, 2012 at 05:02 pm
She must be a democrat
B.L. June 20, 2012 at 05:12 pm
LMAO no kidding!
Rachael B. June 20, 2012 at 05:17 pm
How is it that YOU have the facts? You were there for every moment with everyone involved?
B.L. June 20, 2012 at 05:21 pm
But then again Steve I think I would rather be called a loser , well I guess they are the same thing!
Steve Goldman June 20, 2012 at 05:24 pm
True that.
It all comes out in the wash June 20, 2012 at 05:26 pm
You have to wonder did he see this pony? based on above gossip he must have been going pretty dang fast to send that pony to the road and flip that ATV as many times as you say. So he walks home but who calls and reports the accident? Says above happened earlier than 3am so who called and reported the accident and when? Why the delay. Alcohol....??? If he did have it in his system then he and only he made the wrong decision to get on that ATV. It was the ATV that hit the pony. Im sure that pony wasn't running at the ATV?
B.L. June 20, 2012 at 05:56 pm
So " it all comes out in the wash " you know how fast you have to go to flip an atv after hitting a horse? I'm not sure I know any people that have hit a horse with an atv but I'm assuming from your amazing knowledge you have that you have hit a horse with an atv. You sound pretty amazing. I bet you have lots of great atv hitting horse stories. I'd like to hear some sometime. Now I'm just gonna guess that a black horse is pretty easy to see in the middle of a dark field on a dark night. Hell I bet it's as easy to see as a white horse. I'm also gonna guess that just like hitting a deer the animal keeps moving so it very easily could of made it to the road from the ditch, I mean if I'm not mistaken the ditch is the thing right next to the road. Sometimes I wonder if people think before they assume. Sure is a lot of assumptions on this feed.
Hollywood. June 20, 2012 at 05:56 pm
as all of his Buddy's have said (cause thier all lawyers) lol he is innocent of all chargers, because there wasnt any body to see him hit the pony, and or prove he had been drinking before he killed the pony. but he didnt call it in right away, slammed some beers at home, not in the bars. worried about his four wheeler, before calling police. his friends on here threaten others, because the all say we dont know the facts when they hear from a guy with a head injury. and a liar
It all comes out in the wash June 20, 2012 at 06:16 pm
BL, no I do not which is why I asked a question. So stop with your BS..cause your true colors are coming out. I asked, how you do not see a pony...Question....You see this???? Read above and see the postings from Gossip.
Steve Goldman June 20, 2012 at 06:17 pm
Everyone seems to be missing the point. The point is society if f***ed up. Everyone is always wanting to hang a person before they are even tried. Its too much gossip, not enough facts. I dont hide the fact that he is one of my best friends. I am not saying he is an angel either. Another example would be the George Zimmerman case. Half of the country wants to fry the guy because of what they read in the paper or what they hear on tv. I just wish everyone would wait to form their opinion until the court has its say.
As for the so called threats, my comment wasn't supposed to be a threat. I simply am not affraid to say who I am or where I am from. You can like me or hate me, makes no difference to me. I am a loyal friend and will have my boys back until death. Anyone who has a problem with Quintin has a problem with me.
It all comes out in the wash June 20, 2012 at 06:39 pm
Perhaps a bit of reading and comprehension vs attacking when someone asks questions based on all the input from what appears to be people in the know. Those questions clearly point to the fact that there is more unknown than known. But no...we're going to attack and add nonsence. Theres a point for you!
Becky June 20, 2012 at 06:55 pm
A life is a life, B.L. Just because a horse isn't human does not make it matter any less. Of course, I am respectful of all life so my opinion typically differs from others.
Rachael June 20, 2012 at 06:59 pm
Maybe if his dog didn't run away then he wouldn't be in this situation. And the owners of the horses plus numerous other people were out looking for their horses, so people saying they weren't is full of it. And why the need for speed if he was looking for his dog? Seems like it would be hard to look for a dog while speeding on an ATV. He could have very well hit his own dog instead of the pony.
Rachael June 20, 2012 at 07:06 pm
You mean the accident wouldn't have happend if his dog wasn't running loose. Then he would have never been out on the ATV.
Becky June 20, 2012 at 07:08 pm
It's the Salem Witch Trial effect, Steve... people will always be like that, unfortunately. Get them in a group and they'll side with whoever talks the loudest. And this country has always been "guilty until proven innocent", unfortunately. But that is the beauty of our justice system, when it actually works. Sometimes I think the media only serves to instigate. No offense, Patch.
Tim June 20, 2012 at 07:20 pm
Patch is not a big huge media company?
Just so you know, 'Patch' is a brand name for blogs that are run by AOL. Still think it's not a 'big huge media company'?
my2cents June 20, 2012 at 08:28 pm
That is what I was thinking as well but didn't want to comment. I hope Q is ok and all will come on in the end. But this post has gotten way out of hand, and off the point. To many peole are bringing in their personal feelings into it and no one should be attacked like this. Just my 2cents - get well Quintin.
Gossip Hater June 20, 2012 at 09:16 pm
Honestly, it wouldn't take much speed to roll an ATV on uneven ground, in a ditch. No I've never personally done it but think about it, if it's already driving somewhat off balance, hitting a horse or any decent size animal like that could very easily tip it over. So for the people "assuming" AGAIN that he was speeding, get your story straight before you open your mouth. And it would be no different then a deer running across the road. You know how many people have hit animals while driving?!?! ALOT! Especially at night and if those horses were running, then I imagine it would be even harder to see them before it was too late. Whether he had been drinking before the accident or not, the major point of the story that keeps being missed is the horses should have never been running free in the first place. I know sh*t happens but can't blame the guy that just happened to be in wrong place at the wrong time! This accident would have still happened either way, intoxicated or sober.
And your right Rachael, his dog got out too but the major difference here is...his dog didn't cause an accident!
T-Bone June 21, 2012 at 12:24 am
If I was a Juror and this tread was all evidence, I would have to say Not Gulity!
For one, How fast do you have to go in a ditch on an ATV to be "Speeding"? Never saw a sign for that. For two, Who is to say he didn't go home and drink some Jack to ease the pain and then called 911? Three, You don't need a license to operate an ATV. Four, He has paid his dues to Society for his past cases. That should not effect judgement in this case. There is too much doubt in this case.
Julie Gondar June 21, 2012 at 01:08 am
According to the State DNR, you do NOT need a license if the vehicle is operated off road, you are allowed to cross roads, but once you drive on the road you fall under all requirements for operating a vehicle on a roadway ~ including insurance, drivers license, etc. If he was driving in the road, he would need a license. Here's the link to the publication http://dnr.state.il.us/publications/pdf/00000011.pdf
As far as his previous charges go, according to the article, he pled guilty to aggravated driving under the influence. Yes, the past is the past, but his license is revoked (again according to the article), which means he was breaking the law. The State's Attorney is reviewing the case ~ until that time, people can have their own opinions on it. If charges are dropped, the patch will report it. If charges are upgraded, the patch will report it. It doesn't say whether he was tested on scene or in the hospital, but it appears that he was drunk, because he was charged with DUI. If he broke the law, he'll get charged. If he feels he was wrongly charged, he can pursue that in the courts.
Ignorance is Bliss June 21, 2012 at 01:25 am
Exactly how fast would an ATV need to go in order to cause serious spinal injury to a horse that resulted in the horse being euthanized, to cause head injury to the driver of the ATV that almost resulted in surgery (according to people above who seem to be friends with the man), and to cause the ATV to roll multiple times? And really, who goes home and drinks alcohol to "ease the pain" T-Bone? That would be a true alcoholic. Maybe we should all sit back and wait for the charges that he will face. After the warrant was issued for his blood id say Felony DUI perhaps? You say he has paid his due for his past convictions, but they take those into consideration, duh! You really think people can get multiple DUIs and it not affect the judgement for future convictions?
Jacqueline Goldman June 21, 2012 at 11:34 am
I wish for a fast recovery mentally and physically for all involved. Your not promised anything in life, in a split second your world can get flipped around and thats what makes the hard times so hard but the good times so good. Q is a sweet person and would do anything for anyone, no matter what anybody says badly about him..you can never take that away from him. He has a heart of gold, god just likes to challenge his will from time to time. I wish him nothing but, strength and support through all of this. To all it's easier to hide behind a computer and txt or message negativity but, so much harder to not pass judgements and to put yourself in someone elses shoes. We all have bad days, and nobodys perfect..these arent just fun quotes. They are the truth and people need to have a more open mind and heart. :-)
Katy K June 21, 2012 at 12:40 pm
Sorry if I stepped on any toes...you all made me feel so welcome to join this blog...Thank You.
Steve Goldman June 21, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Well put baby!!!
ChiChic June 22, 2012 at 07:37 pm
The argument isn't about whether one needs a license to drive an ATV.
It's already been stated that one can not drive an ATV while their license has been revoked. Read the rules/laws/etc. "With regard to penalties imposed under this Section:,..., (2) Any penalty imposed for driving with a license that has been revoked for a previous violation of subsection (a) of this Section shall be in addition to the penalty imposed for any subsequent violation of subsection (a)." What's in subsection "(a)" you ask? That section pertains to driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or intoxicating compounds, etc.(DUI) -- and yes, I do know what DUI stands for. Imagine how easy it is to look this stuff up before posting some of the nonesense and name calling. It shows "character"; or lackthereof. So, for 1.) he did break one law. He was driving with a revoked license. If he was not intoxicated while out looking for his dog, I hope he can prove it.
Jstmy2cents July 7, 2012 at 03:43 pm
How many dui's does this guy have already? How many second chances is this guy allowed? In my opioion kendall county better slow this person down before he kills someone. Shows if you have some money to battle the court you keep geeting another chance. Let him finally be punished....even though it probally wont help this guy.

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Karen Foley June 15, 2013 at 10:00 pm
The signage on 47 does say stadium seating :-)
What a Deal! June 16, 2013 at 12:46 pm
Thank you Karen. I only go thru Yorkville once every few weeks anymore (only when I absolutely haveRead More to!!) due to construction (?) and have not even seen the sign. Thanks for your clarification!! Stadium seating is definitely a plus!
jill dillon June 12, 2013 at 02:52 am
Is this still available?
Laura Hart June 12, 2013 at 10:41 am
Yes, it is available. (: