Woman gets probation in crash that killed Schaumburg man

On the last day of his life, Michael Q. Bell cooked breakfast, swept out the garage and told his mother he loved her.

On Wednesday, the 26-year-old Schaumburg man's mother, the Rev. Nena Bell, recalled a loving father of a 2-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old boy who had gotten his life together and intended to take up carpentry.

Bell, giving a victim impact statement in a Rolling Meadows courtroom where Karie M. Ebbole, 24, received 30 months probation (including six months jail time) for the January car crash, described her only child as "full of fun and laughter," a man who "collected memories and friendships."

A member of Destiny Church in Hoffman Estates, where Bell was ordained a minister the month after his death, Michael embraced Christianity as a teenager and encouraged his friends to do the same.

"His life was a gift from God," she said. Now "God has called him home. There's no more pain, no more suffering, no more heartache."

Addressing the woman responsible for his death, Bell said she prayed for God's mercy, justice and love for her and her children.

Last month, Ebbole, of Park Boulevard in Streamwood, pleaded guilty to aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol in the crash, which occurred in the vicinity of South Braintree Drive and Radcliffe Lane in Schaumburg.

She cried as Bell spoke.

"I'm so sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen," said the tearful single mother who since the accident has stopped drinking, sought counseling, attended church and enrolled in Harper College to pursue a nursing degree.

Assistant State's Attorney Cathy Nauheimer urged Judge John Scotillo to impose a considerable sentence. At the family's request, she proposed 10 years in prison. She began her closing statement referring to the common thread that runs through all such cases: the defendant's decision to drink and drive.

"Everybody who drinks and gets behind the wheel thinks, 'It's not going to happen to me,'" she said. "What ends up happening is what happened here. You have a tragedy."

"She made a choice and she's responsible for what occurred because of it."

After expressing his and his client's condolences to the Bell family, defense attorney Irving Seidler requested intensive probation, citing Ebbole's lack of criminal background, her remorse and her efforts to remake her life.

"She has lived every day since this happened punishing herself," he said.

Scotillo said Bell's plea for mercy and the defendant's efforts to change her life influenced his decision to sentence Ebbole to probation that includes six months in the Cook County Department of Corrections, followed by 18 months intense probation including curfew, community service and other conditions, and then six more months probation.

"It appears you started to turn your life around," said Scotillo. "You need to turn it all the way around."

Acknowledging that prison would be justified, he promised that if Ebbole violates probation, he won't hesitate to send her there.

"I'm not your friend, I'm not your mentor, I'm not your father," he said sternly. "Prison will always be there."

Meanwhile, "Michael is still ministering to people," said Bell, referencing his friends' conversions. "His life is speaking volumes."

"We serve a God of second chances," she said. "I asked for mercy and I asked for justice. I believe both were served today."