Trial opens in fatal St. Charles crash

After sparking a fatal St. Charles crash between two other motorists, prosecutors allege Eric W. Townsend fled without stopping to help.

But did the 25-year-old Wheeling man realize the role he played in the accident?

That question lies at the heart of a trial that opened Wednesday in a packed DuPage County courtroom.

Townsend faces probation or up to 14 years in prison if he is convicted of leaving the scene of a fatality. He opted to have DuPage Circuit Judge Kathryn Creswell reach a verdict.

The two-car crash occurred about 5 p.m. Jan. 8, 2007, near Oak Road and North Avenue, also known as Main Street, between the DuPage Airport and Pheasant Run Resort.

"Did (Townsend) stop? No," prosecutor Brian Perkins said. "Did he call 911? No. He drove home as if nothing happened. He didn't say a word."

But defense attorney Neil Cohen said what is at issue is whether Townsend knew he played a role in the other motorists' crash. He said the law defines "involvement" as being connected to an accident in a substantial manner and knowing so before leaving.

Prosecutors said an impatient Townsend turned left in his Pontiac Sunfire from Oak Road onto eastbound Main Street, causing a motorist to swerve his van into a westbound lane.

That driver, Jason D. Johnson, 30, of St. Charles, testified he had about one-half second to react when cut off but he thought he could make it safely across westbound lanes onto a grassy area on the other side of the road.

Instead, his van struck a black Chevy Tahoe head-on. Timothy Lambert, 41, of St. Charles was pinned behind the wheel. Lambert - a husband, father and chemist who grew up in West Chicago - died of head and chest injuries.

Johnson choked back tears while describing how he stood on the side of the road, frozen in panic, searching in vain for the motorist who he said cut him off.

"I broke down," Johnson said of learning the other motorist would likely die. "I didn't know what to do. I was walking in circles."

Johnson admitted he smoked marijuana the night before, but denied he still was under its influence during the accident. He was sentenced to two years' court supervision and 80 hours of public service after pleading guilty last November to misdemeanor driving under the influence of drugs.

Johnson could not identify Townsend's car. But one of the defendant's co-workers, Chris Wienold, of Carol Stream, testified he was behind Townsend waiting at a stop sign on Oak Road when he saw him pull out onto North Avenue to go east, just before the crash.

The next morning at work, Wienold said Townsend admitted seeing the accident in his rearview mirror but instead continued heading home.

"I stated it's something you would have to live with if you don't report it," Wienold said. "(Townsend said), 'I know.'"

Another co-worker led police to Townsend several days later. Police said he admitted cutting off Johnson. The trial continues today. Townsend is expected to testify.