Fatal Pedestrian Crash In West Chicago: Man Charged With Felony

WEST CHICAGO, IL — A 43-year-old man faces felony charges in connection with a crash that killed Miguel Duran, 36, in West Chicago Monday.

James Vaughn, 43, was charged with aggravated DUI causing death and is being held in DuPage County Jail. Police say Vaughn had a BAC of .11 at the time of the crash.

Officers were called to the intersection of Roosevelt and Pearl Roads around 2:30 a.m. for a report that a pedestrian, later identified as Duran, had been hit by a car. Police say Duran was bleeding from his head and was not breathing when they got to the scene.

According to prosecutors, Vaughn had been driving west on Roosevelt Road when he hit Duran, who had been crossing the street. Police say Vaughn smelled of alcohol and had "glassy and bloodshot eyes" in the wake of the crash. They also report finding an open can of alcohol in the car.

“Like all alleged DUI cases, the case against Mr. Vaughn was 100% avoidable,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

Berlin added, “I offer my sincerest condolences to Miguel Duran’s family and friends as they grieve their loss and wish them strength as they adjust to their lives without Miguel’s love and friendship. As I have said countless times in the past, if you have been drinking, do not drive. With ride-sharing services available with just the touch of a finger at any time day or night, there is absolutely no reason to drive after you have been drinking, yet people still continue to get behind the wheel when they know full well, they should not. Please, do yourself a favor and call a cab or use a ride-sharing service if you have been drinking."

Vaughn is set to appear in court May 13.