Crime & Safety
West Chicago Man Found Guilty in DUI Crash That Injured Geneva Pedestrian
Geneva woman suffers severe injuries in the crash that took place Jan. 31, 2010, in St. Charles.
A West Chicago man has been convicted of his role in a 2010 DUI crash that severely injured a Geneva woman.
Donald E. Rericka Jr., 49 (d.o.b. 9-26-1962), of the 29W block of Helen Avenue, West Chicago, was convicted late Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2012, by a Kane County jury of one count of aggravated DUI, a Class 4 felony.
At about 2 a.m. Jan 31, 2010, Rericka, driving a Silver Chevy 1500 pickup truck south on Route 31 in St. Charles, made a left turn to go eastbound on Route 64. Rericka failed to properly negotiate the turn, lost control of his vehicle, drove up over the sidewalk and struck a tree and a pedestrian.
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The pedestrian, a Geneva woman who now is 50, suffered several severe injuries, including bleeding on her brain, a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee, a cracked sternum and a broken finger.
The investigation revealed that Rericka’s blood-alcohol concentration was .170.
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The victim testified during the trial that she is still recovering from the injuries, and as a result of the crash continues to experience short-term memory loss and limited mobility, and has had to forego activities such as running, skiing and water skiing.
Associate Judge Marmarie J. Kostelny set Rericka’s next court appearance for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 12, 2012, in Courtroom 217, for post-trial motions and sentencing. Rericka faces a sentence of probation or between one and 12 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Rericka remains free on $3,000 bond. As a condition of bond, Rericka must refrain from possessing or consuming alcohol.
The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Steve Sims and Lori Anderson.
SOURCE: Kane County State's Attorney's Office
