Man charged with reckless homicide after fatal car accident

Prosecutors in Will County recently announced their decision to charge a man who allegedly killed a mother and her three children in a traffic accident with felony reckless homicide. The accident occurred in Beecher, Illinois, in July 2017. With a lot at stake in this case, the accused individual may require the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney.

According to prosecutors, the defendant was driving through Beecher in his truck when he allegedly collided with a car driven by a woman. Her three young sons, ages 19 months, four years, and six years, were passengers in the car. The woman and her 19-month old son were pronounced dead at the scene. The four-year-old died the next day, and the six-year old died two days later.

Prosecutors have alleged that the defendant was driving 20 mph over the posted speed limit of 55 mph, and that he ignored a stop sign. The man has been formally charged with felony reckless homicide, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a significant fine. The defendant is currently incarcerated in the Will County Jail. He is scheduled to appear in court by video conference to respond to the charges. The court is expected to impose a bond of $1 million as a condition of the defendant’s release.

The charges against the defendant in this case are very serious, and the gravity of the allegations are compounded by the involvement of three small children. Nevertheless, the defendant is entitled to be presumed innocent unless and until he is found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Anyone who is facing similar charges may benefit from a consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney. A knowledgeable lawyer can provide a helpful analysis of the facts and laws that apply to the case and an estimate of the likelihood of obtaining either a favorable plea agreement or an outright acquittal.

Source: Belleville News-Democrat, “Illinois man charged in crash that killed mother, 3 sons,” Aug. 22, 2017