DUI Driver Held On $1M Bond For Three-Car Crash

ST. CHARLES, Ill. (STMW) - An Ohio man was ordered held on $1 million bond Thursday after being charged with driving under the influence in a three-car crash Wednesday night in unincorporated Plato Township.

The Kane County Sheriff's office responded to a three-car crash at 9:45 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Plank and Brier Hill roads, according to a sheriff's release.

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Eric M. Barth, 21, of Franklin, Ohio, was driving a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado east on Plank Road when the pick-up truck entered the westbound lane and struck a 2007 GMC Yukon head on, according to a release. A Hyundai Sonata traveling west behind the Yukon was unable to stop and struck both vehicles.

Barth and his passenger, Kyle D. Gunderson, 20, of Hampshire, were taken to Sherman Hospital in Elgin, according to the release. Gunderson was treated and released.

The driver of the Yukon, Robert Wehrle, 64, of Hampshire, and his passenger Heike Wehrle, 69, of Hampshire, were both taken in critical condition to Provena Saint Joseph Hospital in Elgin.

The driver of the Sonata, Emily Murray, 25, of Sycamore, and her passenger Brandi Narola, 24, of Lake Zurich, were both taken to Sherman Hospital where they were treated and released.

Icy roads may have played a role in this crash, according to the release. It is unknown if any of the persons were wearing their seat belts. Plank Road was closed until 12:30 a.m. while the crash was being investigated.

Barth was charged with driving in the wrong lane, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, illegal transportation of alcohol and driving without a valid driver's license, according to the release. No other charges were filed against anyone else.

Barth's bond was set at $1 million Thursday, where it was read in open court that Barth's blood alcohol level was about 0.27. He is expected in court on January 13, 2011.

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