Reality TV Star Who Killed NJ Native In DWI Crash Goes To Prison

A reality TV star is going to prison after striking a car driven by a New Jersey man and killing him, according to officials. The New Jersey man was on his way to the oceanfront as the designated driver to pick up his wife who was celebrating her birthday with friends

Melissa Ann Hancock, 26, star of the "Little Women" reality show, drove the wrong way on Interstate 264 in Virginia Beach when she struck a vehicle driven by 29-year-old Daniel Dill of New Jersey, according to Virginia Beach officials.

Hancock's car head-on, killing him in the 2 a.m. Nov. 4 crash. Hancock pleaded guilty on June 11 and she was sentenced to 16 years in prison on Wednesday, officials said.

Dill was a resident of Logan Township and graduated from Kingsway High School in Woolwich Township in 2006, according to his obituary from the Loving Funeral Home in Portsmouth, Va. He was an information systems technician with the U.S. Coast Guard. "Every day something reminds you," his father, Chris Dill, told nj.com. "I couldn't tell you how many times the word Dan comes up in a TV show ... every little thing."

Hancock had come from Peabody's Nightclub before the crash, officials said. Surveillance cameras captured Hancock leaving the Peabody's parking lot and driving onto Pacific Avenue and then turning left, or westbound, onto 21st Street in Virginia Beach, officials said. The road is clearly marked as a one-way street for traffic heading east-bond only, officials said.

She drove for approximately one mile passing multiple signs indicating "One Way" and "Do Not Enter." She drove onto Interstate 264 eastbound, and hit Dill's car just before reaching the Birdneck Road exit, officials said.

Hancock's crash data recorder showed she was travelling 55-60 miles per hour five seconds before the crash.

Dill was on his way to the oceanfront as the designated driver to pick up his wife who was celebrating her birthday with friends, officials said.

Dill was wearing his seatbelt and had no alcohol or drugs in his system. He was transported to Virginia Beach General Hospital, but did not survive the serious injuries sustained in the crash, officials said.

Hancock had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from herself and had bloodshot, glassy eyes. She admitted to drinking mixed drinks at Peabody's approximately an hour before the crash, official said.

After she was informed of the victim's injuries, she responded, "Well, I'm ready to go home," officials said.

Hancock was transported to the hospital to be treated for injuries from the crash. She was discharged within three hours after medical staff was unable to locate any injuries and Hancock said she wasn't in pain, official said.

Her blood was drawn, and forensic testing and analysis showed that her blood alcohol level was approximately .19 at the time of the crash, which is more than twice the legal limit.

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