Probation for Schaumburg driver in fatal 2012 crash
A Schaumburg man involved in a fatal crash nearly three years ago was sentenced Monday to two years of probation and ordered to perform 500 hours of community service.
Timothy Hughes was convicted at a bench trial last month of misdemeanor DUI in the 2012 crash that claimed the life of 19-year-old graphic design student and animal lover William "Cole" Deacon.
Cook County Judge Bridget Hughes acquitted Hughes, 29, of the more serious charge of aggravated DUI. Hughes is not related to the judge.
Timothy Hughes expressed his remorse and offered condolences to Deacon's family in his statement to the court.
"If I had a choice I would trade places with William Deacon. I feel terrible for him, his family and friends and for the suffering they have endured," said Hughes, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and has battled depression since the accident, which occurred about 1:30 a.m. April 28, 2012, in the southbound lane of Barrington Road near Terra Vita Drive.
"Not a day goes by that I don't think about that horrific night," Hughes said, adding that he prays for Deacon and his family and friends daily. "Being in court and facing his family members has been a constant reminder of how fragile life is and how quickly things can happen that you never expect."
Deacon, a Palatine High School graduate and four-year member of the gymnastic team, was a student at the Illinois Institute of Art in Schaumburg at the time of his death. He was wearing dark clothing when he stepped from a wetland onto Barrington Road, an area authorities say was not illuminated by streetlights, and was struck by Hughes' vehicle. Two witnesses testified the victim came out of nowhere and police reconstruction experts testified the accident was unavoidable.
Deacon died from his injuries on May 7, 2012. His family honored his wishes to be an organ donor. An Illinois resident received Deacon's liver.
Hughes admitted to police that he drank beer and smoked marijuana several hours before the accident. However, his blood alcohol content registered .044, about half the legal limit of .08. Only a trace amount of marijuana was found in his system, said defense attorney Ernest Blomquist.
Prosecutors acknowledged that Deacon had marijuana in his system and a blood alcohol content of .206 but insisted his condition did not relieve Hughes of his responsibility to drive without drugs in his system.
"Mr. Deacon's life is over and (Hughes) can't get over that," said Blomquist.
He described his client's psychological state as "fragile" and said Hughes takes medication for anxiety, depression and insomnia. Hughes said he is in therapy, which Judge Bridget Hughes ordered him to continue.
She also fined him $1,800.
Deacon's family did not make a statement during the sentencing, but his mother wrote a private note to Hughes, which Blomquist declined to discuss.