DUI Charges In Crash That Killed 2 Elderly Women
JOLIET, Ill. (STMW) -- A southwest suburban man is being held on $350,000 bond, charged with aggravated DUI for his role in a crash that left two elderly northwest suburban women dead Sunday night.
Joseph E. Slattery, 25, of the 20000 block of Lakeview Way in Mokena faces six counts of aggravated driving under the influence, Will County Court records show.
The charges allege he had both alcohol and drugs in his system, Will County State's Attorney's office spokesman Charles Pelkie said. Bond was set at $350,000 during a hearing Monday.
Police said Slattery was traveling south on U.S. 45, just south of U.S. 52 near Peotone, at 7:58 p.m. when he crossed the road's center line and hit a northbound vehicle head-on.
Margaret S. Simons, 72, was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier that was struck by Slattery's 2001 Cavalier, according to Joliet District Illinois State Police.
Also in Simons' car was 92-year-old Suzanne Thomson, who lived at the same address as Simons and was the registered owner of the vehicle; and 42-year-old Ralph Simons. All three were taken to Provena St. Mary's Hospital in Kankakee, state police said.
Margaret Simons was pronounced dead at 9:57 p.m. Sunday, according to the Will County Coroner's office. Pronouncement information for Thompson was not immediately available. An autopsy Monday found Simons died of multiple injuries.
Ralph Simons suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Slattery and his two passengers -- a 24-year-old woman and a 1 year-old boy -- were taken to Riverside Hospital in Kankakee, where they were treated for minor injuries, according to state police.
"Preliminary indications are that alcohol was involved," according to a state trooper, who said Slattery had blood and urine samples taken. The accident remains under investigation.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
