Drugged driving charges filed in 2006 fatal crash

Eighteen months after a fatal Downers Grove crash, a motorist was arrested Thursday on charges he sparked the five-car pileup while driving high on marijuana and anti-depressants.

Thomas R. Heehler remained free while police investigated the April 5, 2006, crash that killed a retired 30-year college journalism teacher.

Nearly one year later, police suspected Heehler also was behind a March hit-and-run crash in Lombard involving three other motorists, some of whom were injured. Authorities again lacked enough evidence to sustain felony charges.

But after building both criminal cases, DuPage County prosecutors hauled the 47-year-old Homer Glen man into court Thursday on a $300,000 arrest warrant involving both crashes. He was taken into custody after a judge refused to lower bond.

Prosecutor Joseph Ruggiero chronicled a long driving history that he said stretched back to the late 1970s and included prior convictions for fleeing and eluding and, in 1998, leaving the scene of an accident.

Heehler is facing a similar charge for the recent Lombard hit-and-run crash. Police stopped him shortly afterward, but Ruggiero said they recently gleaned more witness testimony linking him to the crime.

In a more serious allegation, Heehler is accused of aggravated driving under the influence during an April 5, 2006, crash that killed Shirley J. Borel, 69, of Woodridge. Ruggiero said Heehler, high on marijuana and Xanax, sparked a five-car pileup at 75th Street and Fairview Avenue in Downers Grove while speeding 20 miles over the posted limit.

Ten years earlier, Borel ended her 30-year career at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, where she taught budding journalists and founded the student publication.

Her husband, Richard, who suffered seven broken ribs and a head injury in the crash, said they just finished lunch after running errands before being struck while waiting at a stop light. The couple was married more than 45 years and had three children and three grandchildren.

"We had a lot of great times," Richard Borel said, fighting back tears. "He took it all away."

He added: "We didn't know if drugs were involved, but we thought something was wrong because he was driving crazy. In a sense, I think we're happy (charges were brought) because we're getting him off the street."

Afterward, Heehler was ticketed for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident. The aggravated DUI allegation, which carries an up to 14-year prison term, came after further blood analysis.

Defense attorney Gene Ognibene said Heehler does not have a non-traffic-related criminal history and is a responsible business owner. He questioned why, if the prosecution's evidence was so reliable, it took so long to bring charges.

Heehler will be arraigned Oct. 25 before DuPage Circuit Judge Robert Anderson, who denied the bond-reduction request Thursday.