Bail increased for woman charged with ‘huffing,’ causing crash
A Cook County judge increased bond to $150,000 for a Palatine woman charged with aggravated driving under the influence after an accident that injured a then-84-year-old woman in April.
Cook County Judge Ellen Mandletort increased Karli Casey’s bond Tuesday after prosecutors produced lab results revealing the 20-year-old had heroin, cocaine and codeine in her system at the time of the accident, which occurred about 9:30 p.m. April 28 at the intersection of First Bank Drive and Northwest Highway in Palatine.
She must post $15,000 to be released from custody. Casey had been held in Cook County Jail on a $20,000 bond.
Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Gerber announced a new, 26-count indictment against Casey, who is now charged with a special class 4 felony meaning that if convicted, she could face between one and 12 years in prison. Probation is also an option, Gerber said. However, in cases like these, said Gerber, a defendant must show special circumstance in order to receive probation.
Police say Casey was driving her car east on Northwest Highway while “huffing” the contents from an aerosol cleaner. She passed out behind the wheel and her car crossed into the westbound lanes, striking another car, causing it to flip onto its side and injuring the male driver and his elderly mother who was riding in the passenger seat, police said.
The 84-year-old victim suffered multiple fractures and a ruptured spleen and is currently in rehabilitation. Two female passengers in Casey’s vehicle were also injured, police said.
Defense attorney Wayne Brucar argued against the bail increase, saying “other than the substance, there is nothing new in these charges.”
Mandeltort disagreed, pointing out the additional illegal substances found in Casey’s blood and the indictment against her, which increased from five to 26 counts.
Mandletort noted for the record that Casey is receiving treatment as part of the Cook County Jail’s women’s justice program, which provides substance abuse and mental health treatment to detainees. Casey next appears in court Nov. 29.