Driver arraigned in fatal I-290 crash in Addison

Authorities say a Chicago man was drunk, driving more than 70 mph, and talking on a cellphone when he rear-ended a state police cruiser in Addison, killing a 42-year-old man sitting in the back seat.

Daniel C. Clark, 32, formally pleaded not guilty Tuesday at his arraignment on charges of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless homicide and aggravated reckless driving. Prosecutors said he faces probation or up to 14 years in prison if convicted.

Clark is accused of driving 73 mph and using a cellphone when his 2010 Chevrolet Impala slammed into a parked squad car about 1:20 a.m. Feb. 11 on eastbound I-290, east of Mill Road, in Addison. According to court records, he later registered a blood-alcohol level of .193 percent — more than twice the legal threshold — and told police he had consumed four glasses of wine.

Killed in the crash was Brookfield resident Frank Caruso, who had climbed into the cruiser's back seat to keep warm after his vehicle was disabled in a minor accident. Trooper Matthew Woodiel, who was sitting in the front, suffered injuries that were not life-threatening.

The crash happened while the trooper's car was parked with its emergency lights flashing and the vehicles partially blocking the left lane. Clark told investigators he was talking with his girlfriend on a cellphone when he crashed, prosecutors have said in court.

A court filing by the defense describes Clark as employed in the information technology industry and well-educated, with a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University. The filing says he is engaged to a woman from Naperville, and that he would abstain from alcohol and receive rehabilitative services after his release earlier this month on a $25,000 bond. He has no known criminal history.

“This is a young man who's truly been impacted by the loss of life,” said Naperville defense attorney Jack Donahue, who represents Clark. “He's devastated.”

Donahue declined to comment on the allegations. He said he recently received an “enormous amount of discovery” from prosecutors and was still going through it.