Dad Charged With Reckless Homicide Which Killed Daughter

CHICAGO (STMW) -- A South Side man was formally charged with reckless homicide on Tuesday in connection with the death of his teenage daughter, who was struck by a train after he allegedly drove their car around crossing gates last year.

Terry Robertson, 48, was initially charged with a traffic violation for the Dec. 30, 2010, crash at 97th Street and Eggleston.

But the investigation continued and authorities approved the felony charge in April, authorities said. On Tuesday, Robertson was indicted and arraignment was set for June 1, Cook County State's Attorney's office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton said.

His blood alcohol level was just under the legal limit at .071 and officers had noticed "bloodshot, glassy eyes" and a strong odor of alcohol on his breath when they questioned him at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to a police report.

Patrice Robinson, 19, died less than an hour after the train slammed into the car.

Robertson, of the 9200 block of South Yates, had been driving on a suspended license at the time of the crash, Asst. State's Atty. Morgan Creppel said in court.

Robinson was the front-seat passenger when her father drove his 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix around the gate and attempted to drive on the tracks, Creppel said.

The railroad crossing signals were activated and the crossing arms were down as the Amtrak train approached at 40 mph, Creppel said.

Robinson died of massive blunt force trauma to the head and body, and hemorrhagic shock.

Robertson, a convicted felon, was also cited for driving on a suspended license in 2000, Creppel said.

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