by Patrick Warren
District Attorney
Gary Lee Curry, sentenced to 30 years for DUI vehicular homicide.
Roger Dale Tillery was killed in the wreck.
Gary Lee Curry, a 47-year-old Worth County resident, was sentenced recently to serve 30 years, with the first 20 years in the Department of Corrections, by Chief Judge Bill Reinhardt, after entering what is known as a ‘blind plea’ to the offenses of Vehicular Homicide, Serious Injury by Vehicle, and Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol.
Mr. Curry entered his plea on August 20th, 2026, which was the last court day before trials were scheduled to begin on August 24th, 2026. Under the terms of a ‘blind plea’ a Defendant is entitled to enter a guilty plea to the charges on the indictment, but there is no negotiated plea so the defense will ask for what they feel is appropriate and the State prosecutors will do the same.
Sentencing was set for September 23rd and Chief Judge Reinhardt heard from the surviving victim and the family of the deceased as well as family of Mr. Curry before handing down the sentence.
The case stems from a collision which occurred on February 7th, 2025, near the intersection of Carter Road and Highway 82 in Sylvester. Several members of a local motorcycle ministry group were traveling through Sylvester on Highway 82 when Mr. Curry, who was driving at more than twice the legal limit for DUI, drove out from Carter Road and into them.
Mr. Roger Dale Tillery, 74, and Mr. Eric Scott Murphy, who was 49 at the time of the collision, were hit and transported to the hospital. Mr. Tillery succumbed to his injuries and Mr. Scott had permanent injury to his leg. During the investigation, it was determined that Mr. Curry had at least two prior DUIs in Worth County.
District Attorney Patrick Warren, who prosecuted the case for the State, said, “This case is a tragic reminder that impaired driving affects far more than the person who makes the decision to get behind the wheel.
“One family has lost a loved one, another victim and his family must live with the lasting effects of serious injuries, and the defendant’s family must now face the consequences of his actions as well.
“We must remember that cases like this are preventable. No one should ever drive after drinking when there are alternatives—designate a sober driver, call a friend or family member, arrange for a ride, or simply stay where you are. Our office will continue to hold impaired drivers accountable, especially when their decisions result in death or serious injury, but our greater hope is that people make responsible choices before tragedy occurs. One good decision can save a life and spare multiple families from consequences that can last a lifetime.”