Aurora man indicted in Batavia DUI death

An Aurora man has been indicted on first-degree murder charges in the death of a Batavia pedestrian who was hit and killed by a car while walking his dog on the sidewalk, prosecutors announced Monday afternoon.

A Kane County grand jury delivered the 37-count indictment against Edward O. Cook, 24, of the 600 block of Galena Boulevard on Aug. 21, according to the state's attorney's office. Cook is charged with 11 counts of first-degree murder, 15 counts of aggravated driving under the influence, 10 counts of burglary and one count of possession of a converted motor vehicle.

Cook is accused of killing 57-year-old David Long and his dog about 6:40 a.m. July 29 as they walked along the 1000 block of Woodland Hills Road in Batavia. Prosecutors say Cook was driving under the influence of alcohol and had traces of cocaine and marijuana in his system at the time he drove a stolen car off the road and hit Long and the dog.

At a news conference Monday, Kane County State's Attorney John Barsanti said his office was able to charge Cook with first-degree murder because a person was killed in the process of committing two felonies - burglary and aggravated drunken driving.

"I think it's necessary," Barsanti said. "As a prosecutor, I have a responsibility to use every possible means and every tool available to me to enforce justice."

Batavia Police Chief Gary Schira said Long's family "totally supports" the aggressive prosecution. "We hope justice is served," Schira said.

If convicted of murder, Cook faces a minimum of 20 years in prison, Barsanti said. He is scheduled for arraignment Thursday at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles.