Palatine woman charged in fatal South Barrington crash

Bond was set at $750,000 Thursday for a Palatine woman who authorities say had more than three times the legal limit of alcohol in her blood when she was involved in a fatal car crash in South Barrington.

Amber Honaker, 24, was charged with aggravated DUI involving a death and aggravated DUI involving great bodily harm. If convicted of the most serious charge, she faces up to 14 years in prison.

Theresa Miceli, 85, died Dec. 9 after the crash five days earlier left her with a broken right hip and three fractures to her right leg, as well as injuries to her left leg. The crash was at about 8 p.m. Dec. 4 near Mundhank and Higgins roads, said Cook County assistant state's attorney Maureen McGee.

Theresa and her husband Joseph Miceli, 84, were driving north on Mundhank Road when Honaker, who was driving south, crashed into the couple's car, McGee said. Onboard monitors indicated Joseph Miceli was driving 24 mph while Honaker was driving between 40 and 43 mph in a 40 mph zone, McGee said. Honaker's monitor indicated the car did not brake, she said.

Joseph Miceli was admitted to St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, where he remains while undergoing inpatient rehabilitation, McGee said.

Paramedics and firefighters extricated Honaker from her car and took her to St. Alexius, where she was treated for a fractured clavicle and ankle, McGee said.

Police officers at the scene reported Honaker smelled of alcohol and had bloodshot, glassy eyes, McGee said. They say she admitted consuming alcohol and her blood alcohol content registered .249, McGee said.

Officers reconstructed the accident and are analyzing the results, she said.

Honaker next appears in court Jan. 28.