Father Of Boy Killed In Snowmobile Crash Faces Felony Charges

(STMW) -- A 7-year-old Downstate boy was killed in a snowmobiling accident in December, and on Tuesday, his father was charged with several felonies, including driving while intoxicated, in connection with the crash.

Chad L. Osterhoff, 38, of Kankakee, is charged with failure to report an accident involving personal injury or death, operating a snowmobile under the influence of alcohol causing death, endangering the life or health of a child, and leaving the scene of an accident involving death, according to Illinois State Police.

On Dec. 14, 2013, Osterhoff and his 7-year-old son Cale took a ride on a snowmobile and crashed into a ditch along 2000E Road near Kankakee, a statement from ISP said. The accident occurred not far from the family home.

Cale was wearing a safety helmet when the snowmobile plunged into the ditch and flipped over, officials said at the time. But he was pronounced dead that evening at Riverside Medical Center in Bourbonnais.

Chad Osterhoff also suffered serious injuries in the crash and was admitted to the hospital. When he was released on Tuesday afternoon, he turned himself in to Kankakee County authorities and was released on $10,000, 10 percent of a $100,000 bond set in an arrest warrant, according to ISP.

Along with the criminal charges, he was cited for unlawful operation of a snowmobile and failure to provide mandatory liability insurance, according to ISP. He faces up to 12 years in prison is convicted.

Cale, a junior hockey player, was honored by the Chicago Blackhawks prior to a game at the United Center on Dec. 23, the same night his Kankakee Coyotes had been scheduled to play at the UC prior to the NHL contest.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2014. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)