$750,000 bond for driver accused of killing pedestrian

A motorist accused of killing a Batavia man while he walked his dog early Wednesday told police he consumed two beers, a shot of liquor and marijuana in the hours preceding the crash, a prosecutor said Thursday.

The suspect, paroled in December after serving time for an aggravated driving under the influence conviction, also may have been in a stolen car when he struck David J. Long, 57, and his dog, killing them both as they walked on the sidewalk, Assistant Kane County State's Attorney Greg Sams said at a bond hearing.

"It's a sad state that we're in when a 57-year-old man cannot walk his dog at 6:40 in the morning and not be struck and killed by a drunk driver," Sams said.

Judge James C. Hallock set bond at $750,000 for 24-year-old Edward O. Cook of Batavia, who is charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI, as well as several traffic offenses. Sams said authorities also are investigating whether to charge Cook with possession of a stolen vehicle.

The crash happened Wednesday as Long walked his dog on the 1000 block of Woodland Hills Road in Batavia.

Cook was driving 2003 Acura south when it went off the west side of the road and hit two mailboxes before striking Long and his dog, according to police. The Acura then went back into the road, hit an oncoming Chevy Equinox and came to rest in a lawn at Chillem Drive.

Police said Cook then got out and "ran on foot from the scene without rendering aid or checking on any of the victims," according to a synopsis read in court. He was arrested on the 34W200 block of Sunset Drive after a brief chase.

In police interviews, Cook said he "was in a hurry to get home," as his girlfriend had to go to work. According to the synopsis, he said he had smoked marijuana "blunts" the night before and drank two beers and a shot of cognac.

Sams said Cook was on parole after serving time for aggravated DUI and obstructing justice convictions in Will County, and has prior arrests and convictions in Cook County for burglary, stolen vehicle possession and battery.

Cook also may be charged with possession of a stolen vehicle in connection with the crash, Sams said, declining to elaborate. The Acura, as described in court documents, is registered to an Aurora woman, according to the Illinois Secretary of State's Office.

Cook, whose next court date is Aug. 11, faces up to 14 years in prison of convicted of the most serious offense, a Class 2 felony.

In setting bond at $750,000, Hallock said he was concerned for the community's safety, noting Cook's criminal history is "rather extensive, to say the least." He must post $75,000 in cash to be released.

On Thursday, an eyewitness who passed the oncoming Acura before the crash told the Daily Herald the car was traveling much faster than the speed limit.

"My God, that guy is coming down really fast," the woman, who requested anonymity due to safety concerns, said she thought as she slowed down hoping to avoid a serious accident.

While looking in her rearview mirror, she said, she saw the Acura hit several mailboxes, the dog and Long. The impact, she said, caused the dog's chain to break and threw both into the air.

As she tried to help, the witness said she saw the Acura driver get out, "just walking in the street, acting like it wasn't his car."

"What happened to them - Dave and that dog - should never happen again," she said.

Daily Herald staff writers Susan Sarkauskas and Kerry Lester contributed to this story