Four years for driver in deadly 2009 crash in Des Plaines

A Cook County judge sentenced a 29-year-old Chicago man to four years in prison for his role in a January 2009 crash that cost a Des Plaines man his life.

Ilkwon Song, of the 5000 block of North River Road, pleaded guilty this week to aggravated DUI causing an accident or death and aggravated DUI causing great bodily harm.

Song was traveling west on Golf Road in Des Plaines on Jan. 30, 2009, when his 2007 Honda Accord rear-ended another vehicle driven by Hadesan Panicker, authorities said. That vehicle veered into the eastbound land and struck a third car, sending three people to the hospital. A little more than a week after the crash, Panicker died from his injuries.

Song received credit for 18 days in custody and was ordered to pay $2,125 in fines. He must serve at least 50 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.