Long Grove man charged in fatal crash pleads not guilty to additional charges
A Long Grove man charged with a 2013 fatal DUI pleaded not guilty Wednesday to 10 additional criminal counts of reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence in Lake County court.
The defense attorney for Stephen E. Tomczyk, 22, of the 3200 block of Middlesax Drive, told Judge Mark Levitt he objected to the additional criminal counts, saying they come too late in the case.
"The charges are not based on new information and are woefully late," attorney Eric Rinehart said outside the courtroom. "We intend to file a motion to dismiss the new counts."
Prosecutors did not comment on the purpose of the additional criminal counts, except to say the charges were approved by the Lake County grand jury.
Including the new counts, Tomczyk faces seven counts of aggravated DUI resulting in death, seven counts of aggravated DUI resulting in bodily harm and eight counts of reckless homicide.
Authorities said Tomczyk's 2007 Ford F-150 collided with a 2011 Honda CRV driven by Jeewon Kim of Buffalo Grove about 6 p.m. on Sept. 5 2013, at Westmoreland Drive and Route 83 in Hawthorn Woods.
The 47-year-old Kim was pronounced dead at the scene. Her 16-year-old daughter - a passenger in the Honda - was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, but she survived the crash.
If found guilty on the most serious charge, Tomczyk could be sentenced up to 14 years in prison.
He remains held in Lake County jail on $500,000 bail.
Tomczyk is due to return to court Aug. 4, for a hearing on a motion to suppress evidence. His trial is scheduled for Aug. 24.