$300K Bond Set For Streamwood Man Accused Of DUI In Fatal Crash

WHEATON, IL - Bond for a Streamwood man accused of causing a fatal head-on crash Jan. 12 in Hanover Park has been set at $300,000 with 10 percent to apply, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Hanover Park Chief of Police Michael Menough announced Wednesday, according to a release. The state's attorney's office said on Friday, April 26, a $1 million with 10 percent to apply arrest warrant was issued for 19-year-old Jonathan Franco, of the 800 block of Garden Circle. He turned himself in to authorities late Tuesday afternoon, according to a release.

Franco is accused of causing a head-on crash that fatally injured the driver of the other vehicle, and seriously injured the driver's 12-year-old son after Franco is presumed to have driven into oncoming traffic on County Farm Road in Hanover Park during the morning of Jan. 12, the state's attorney's office said.

Officers with the Hanover Park Police Department responded to the crash at 7:26 a.m. that day on County Farm Road near Lawrence Avenue, and upon their arrival found evidence of a head-on collision, according to a release. Following an investigation into the crash, Franco was accused of driving a Subaru southbound on County Farm Road, when he is said to have drifted into oncoming traffic, a release said. According to the state's attorney's office, Franco reportedly crashed his car head-on into a northbound vehicle, and the investigation claims Franco had tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient in marijuana, in his system at the time of the crash.

The state's attorney's office said Franco and the victims were taken to the hospital for treatment of their injuries. The driver of the vehicle the investigation claims Franco crashed into was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to a release.

“Mr. Franco’s decision to get behind the wheel of a car while he was allegedly impaired by THC in his system proved to be fatal,” Berlin said, in a release. “As with DUI cases involving alcohol, cases in which the defendant allegedly has THC in their system are 100% avoidable. The lesson is clear, if you have any substance in your system that may impair your ability to operate a vehicle, don’t get behind the wheel. Do yourself and other motorists a favor and call a cab or use a ride-sharing service. I would like to thank the Hanover Park Police Department for their efforts in this case. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Kristin Sullivan for her work in securing a strong prosecution against Mr. Franco.”

Franco’s next court appearance is set for May 23 for arraignment in front of Judge Miller.

“Our sincerest condolences go out to the family of the victim who lost his life as a result of this tragic event and we pray for a full recovery for his son,” Menough said, in a release. “I commend the Hanover Park police officers and investigators who worked diligently during the course of this investigation and I would like to extend my appreciation to the members of the Dupage County Accident Reconstruction Team for their assistance. I would also like to thank the Dupage County States Attorney’s Office for their assistance and guidance throughout this investigation.”