Man charged a quarter century after fatal Villa Park crash

A quarter century after he failed to appear in court on charges tied to car-train crash that killed three people in Villa Park, a suspect has been tracked down in Oklahoma, authorities said Friday.

Roger Walburg, 51, now faces reckless homicide charges stemming from the June 6, 1980 crash, according to DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett.

Officials said a southbound car driven by Walburg went around the crossing gates at railroad tracks near Addison Road and Terrace Street in Villa Park. The car was hit by a commuter train, killing three passengers: Guy Noel, 25, of Villa Park; William Sukup, 27, of Elmhurst; and Bradley Smith, 26 of Elmhurst.

Walburg, authorities said, fled the scene but was caught later that day. He was indicted Oct. 27, 1981, after a lengthy investigation by Villa Park police, including Detective Norman Hall. But on July 22, 1982, Walberg failed to show for a scheduled court date.

Last week authorities apprehended Walburg in Oklahoma City. He was moved to the DuPage County Jail on Thursday.

Walberg appeared in bond court Friday morning before DuPage Circuit Judge Brian Diamond, who ordered that he be held on the previously set bail of $1 million. His next court appearance is Tuesday before Judge Perry Thompson.

Birkett, in a prepared statement, praised the tenacity of Hall, now deputy chief of investigations at the state's attorney's office.

"After Walberg skipped bond, Norm took it upon himself to periodically run him through the system," Birkett said. "He never gave up on justice."