Buffalo Grove man facing DUI charge in fatal Hanover Park crash

A 28-year-old Buffalo Grove man is in custody at the DuPage County Jail today facing drunken driving charges stemming from a fatal car crash early Monday in Hanover Park.

Fabian Higgins, of the 0-100 block of Oak Creek Drive, appeared in court Wednesday accused of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol. Bond was set at $500,000, meaning he must post 10 percent, or $50,000, to be released.

The charge alleges Higgins was behind the wheel of a car that crashed and killed its passenger, 23-year-old Christina Schamne of Hanover Park. He was driving south on County Farm Road at 12:05 a.m. Monday, authorities said, when his Ford Mustang crossed the center line south of Ontarioville Road, striking an oncoming Ford Explorer.

Schamne died of multiple injuries a short time later at St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates, the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said. Higgins and the Ford Explorer's occupants were treated for injuries not considered life-threatening.

Hanover Park Deputy Police Chief Tom Cortese said lab results aren't yet available on Higgins' blood alcohol content, but his interview, observations and the smell of alcohol led officers to believe he was drunk.

Cortese said the police department investigated the crash with the DuPage County Accident Reconstruction Team and the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

Higgins could face between three and 14 years in prison if convicted of the Class 2 felony charge.