Not guilty plea in Batavia DUI death

An Aurora man pleaded not guilty Thursday to first-degree murder charges in the death of a Batavia pedestrian who was killed while he walked his dog.

Edward O. Cook, 24, is accused of running down 57-year-old David Long and his dog in a stolen car while driving under the influence of alcohol, cocaine and marijuana. He denied guilt to murder, aggravated DUI, burglary and other charges at a hearing before Kane County Judge T. Jordan Gallagher.

If convicted of first-degree murder, a rare charge for DUI cases, Cook faces 20 to 60 years in prison. He is being represented by the Kane County public defender's office.

Police say Cook, who has prior DUI convictions, went off the road about 6:40 a.m. July 29 and struck Long and his dog as they walked on the sidewalk in the 1000 block of Woodland Hills Road.

A grand jury indicted him Aug. 21 on 11 counts of first-degree murder under a state law allowing the charge when a death occurs while a forceable felony is committed with the intent of committing a second felony. Prosecutors have said Cook fits the criteria because he stole a car with intent of driving it while intoxicated, which is a felony for him because of his prior record.

Cook remains in the county jail, unable to post 10 percent of a $750,000 bond. His next court date is Sept. 30.