Driver in fatal I-55 crash was drunk, prosecutors say

A south suburban man had a blood-alcohol level more than four times the legal limit in a fatal crash last month in DuPage County, prosecutors alleged Wednesday in a criminal indictment.

Robert J. Pas is being held on a $1 million bond on charges of aggravated drunken driving and reckless homicide. He faces probation or three to 14 years in prison if convicted of the crime.

Prosecutors said the 41-year-old Burbank man was driving south on I-55 about 11:30 a.m. June 17 in the Burr Ridge area when his speeding 2008 Chevy Malibu struck the rear of a van, propelling it off the highway.

"Two witnesses reported to police that he was driving all over the road and crossing three lanes of traffic," prosecutor Thomas O'Connor said.

A van passenger, 38-year-old Dawn Voss-Alshwayit of Darien, was killed after being ejected. Authorities pronounced her dead at the crash site. Attempts to reach her family were unsuccessful Wednesday.

Rescuers rushed Pas to La Grange Hospital, where authorities said his blood-alcohol level was .33 one hour after the crash. The legal threshold in Illinois is .08. Authorities said they found an open bottle of vodka inside his car.

Pas, 8619 S. Rutherford, must post the required 10 percent, or $100,0000, to be released from the DuPage County jail on bond. A grand jury indicted him on felony charged Tuesday. He will be arraigned Monday before DuPage Circuit Judge George Bakalis in Wheaton.