Teen goes to prison for striking Naperville bicyclist in DUI crash

A teenager was sentenced Tuesday to four years in prison for striking a Naperville bicyclist in a drug-related crash.

Brian R. Melbye was under the influence of cocaine, marijuana and prescription drugs June 1 when his 1999 Honda Accord hit the bicyclist in a southbound lane of Washington Street near Meisinger Lane.

The 19-year-old Lisle man pleaded guilty Dec. 23 to aggravated DUI. He faced probation or up to 12 years in prison Tuesday when sentenced.

Despite Melbye's remorse and efforts to get help for his drug addiction, DuPage Circuit Judge Blanche Hill Fawell said he posed too great of a risk to release back into society on probation.

Melbye will be eligible for parole after serving half the prison term.

The bicyclist, Wendy Schild, 52, of Naperville, survived despite suffering bleeding in her brain and fractures to her skull, pelvis and vertebrae. Schild was not in court Tuesday, but she has filed a lawsuit against Melbye seeking more than $50,000 in damages.

Ironically, minutes before the crash, Melbye had just left Naperville's Linden Oaks Hospital to get a treatment assessment for his drug addiction.

He also sought help earlier from a doctor and drug rehabilitation center. In fact, defense attorney Gene Ognibene said it was the doctor who prescribed Vicodin for Melbye as the teen tried to kick his cocaine habit.

In court, Melbye apologized for hurting Schild and said he wished he could take her place. His remorse, though, was not enough to sway the judge in light of Melbye's drug-related criminal history.

"Judge Fawell exercised great care in making her decision and, unfortunately she didn't rule in our favor, but I respect her decision," Ognibene said afterward.