Charges reduced in crash that killed Schaumburg woman

A 23-year-old Arlington Heights man charged in connection with a two-car crash last month that killed a passenger no longer is facing aggravated driving under the influence allegations.

Instead, a McHenry County grand jury indicted Kyle J. Sievert, of the 400 block of Happfield Drive, on lesser charges of reckless homicide and two counts of aggravated reckless driving, stemming from the April 10 crash that took the life of 24-year-old Vanessa M. Tobey.

The change means that instead of facing three to 14 years in prison if convicted of aggravated DUI, Sievert will face a maximum two to five years in prison if found guilty of reckless homicide or one to three years on the aggravated reckless driving charges.

Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Ryan Blackney declined to comment today on the reasons for the change, except to state "the charges we filed we felt were most appropriate."

Sievert formally pleaded not guilty to the charges today and asked for a jury trial. His attorney, Mark Gummerson, could not be reached for comment.

Authorities said Sievert was in Crystal Lake, turning from Waterford Cut to Huntley Road late on April 10 when he lost control of his 2001 Pontiac Trans Am. The car crossed into the northbound lane and collided with a 1994 Jeep Cherokee, police said.

Tobey, a Schaumburg resident riding in Sievert's car, was taken from the scene to Centegra Hospital-Woodstock where she died from her injuries. Two other passengers were injured.

Also today, McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather denied a defense request she prevent prosecutors from subpoenaing information from Sievert's Facebook and MySpace accounts.

His defense had argued the subpoenas amounted to nothing more than a fishing expedition. Blackney declined to say why he was seeking information from the accounts.

Sievert, who is free on $7,500 bond, is scheduled to return to court July 20 for a pretrial status hearing.