Trial date set for man charged in crash that sparked townhouse fire
A Wisconsin man accused of being intoxicated when he crashed his SUV into a Hainesville townhouse, sparking a massive fire, will go on trial next month.
Adam R. Bileck, 32, of Kenosha, Wis., could be sentenced up to six years in prison if found guilty of aggravated driving under the influence after a trial set to begin Feb. 24.
Bileck remains held in Lake County jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.
Authorities say Bileck was driving south on Hainesville Road about 4 a.m. Oct. 25 when his vehicle crossed the centerline, hopped a curb and traveled about 500 feet before knocking down a township road sign and crashing into a townhouse on the 400 block of Patriot Drive.
A gas meter ignited after the collision, authorities said, sparking a fire that gutted two townhouse units and seriously damaged a third in the six-unit building.
No one was injured in the early morning blaze, but three families were displaced.
Police said Bileck was not found at the scene of the fire when authorities arrived, but was spotted about two hours later hiding under a pickup truck nearby. He was captured a short time later after trying to run from officers, authorities said.
Bileck was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville and treated before being transported to the Lake County jail.
In addition to the aggravated DUI charge, he is also facing a misdemeanor count of leaving the scene of a property damage accident.
Bileck is due back in court Jan. 21 for a pretrial hearing.