A South Elgin man involved in a fatal traffic accident is in custody after being accused of being under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Lombard Chief of Police Joe Grage announced yesterday that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for the 48-year-old man accused of causing a fatal crash while intoxicated, killing 35-year-old Laura O’Keefe and seriously injuring a passenger in her vehicle. He has been charged with one count of Aggravated DUI Causing Death (a Class 2 Felony) and one count of Aggravated DUI Great Bodily Harm (a Class 4 Felony).
According to prosecutors, on May 10 at approximately 5:24pm, Lombard police officers responded to a call of a multi-vehicle crash at 2780 South Highland Avenue, just north of Butterfield Road. Upon their arrival at the scene, officers found the front end of a grey 2021 Volvo crashed into the driver’s side of a black 2026 Subaru Outback. Both vehicles had sustained substantial damage, and the occupants of both the Volvo and Subaru were transported to a local hospital for medical attention.
O’Keefe suffered traumatic brain injuries and, after being placed on life support following emergency surgery, was pronounced deceased two days later. O’Keefe’s passenger suffered serious injuries and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.
Following an investigation into the crash, it is alleged that the suspect was driving the Volvo southbound on Highland when he rear-ended a Toyota, then went around the Toyota, drove over a grass parkway and crashed into the Subaru, later determined to be driven by O’Keefe, as it was stopped at an exit from a shopping plaza waiting to turn right onto Highland Avenue. It is alleged that when officers spoke with the suspect at the scene they detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting from him and observed him to be unsteady on his feet, have mumbled speech and glassy, bloodshot eyes. The suspect’s BAC was 0.116, and during a search of his officers recovered an open BuzzBallz alcoholic beverage from the driver’s seat.
“Like all alleged DUI cases, the case against [the suspect] was 100% avoidable,” Berlin said. “What I find particularly egregious are the allegations that [he] was driving drunk on Mother’s Day near the Yorktown Mall at dinner time where hundreds, if not thousands, of people were celebrating the holiday together. As I have said many times before, if you have been drinking, do not get behind the wheel of a car. Call a friend, a cab or use a ride sharing service to make sure you and your passengers get to your destination safely. I offer my sincerest condolences to Laura’s family and friends and wish them strength as they adjust to their new reality of life without the love and support Laura once offered and I wish the passenger in Laura’s car a full and speedy recovery and strength as she contends with the physical and psychological damage this incident has caused her.”
The suspect’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 8, 2026, in front of Judge Mia McPherson.
