Aggravated DUI, Reckless Homicide Charges In Bloom Township Crash

BLOOM TOWNSHIP, IL — A 59-year-old man University Park man was charged with aggravated DUI resulting in death and reckless homicide following a Cook County Sheriff’s police investigation into a fatal crash last month, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart said Wednesday.

At approximately 8:27 a.m. on Dec. 16, sheriff’s Police were called to a multi-vehicle crash near the intersection of Sauk Trail and Western Avenue in unincorporated Bloom Township. Police found 71-year-old Walter Smith, of Thornton, with multiple injuries and three vehicles with extensive damage.

The victim was taken to local area hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Police learned that driver Terence Smith (who is not related to the victim), of University Park, was headed westbound on Sauk Trail at a high rate of speed, and attempted to pass another vehicle when he struck the victim’s vehicle.

The force of the impact caused the victim’s vehicle to strike another vehicle. The driver of the third vehicle refused medical attention on the scene.

Terence Smith was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuriesand was found to have a blood alcohol content greater than .08.

On Jan. 1, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges of aggravated DUI resulting in death, and reckless homicide. Smith was scheduled to appear at the Markham Courthouse Wednesday for an initial appearance on the charges.