South Elgin man charged in DUI chain-reaction crash
A South Elgin man faces felony charges in a DUI-related, chain-reaction crash that left two other drivers seriously injured, authorities said Wednesday.
John A. Schwartz, 21, of the 600 block of Waterside Drive, was charged with six counts of aggravated DUI and two counts of aggravated reckless driving, both Class 4 felonies, in the June 20 crash on Dunham Road in Wayne, according to a news release from the Kane County state's attorney's office.
Authorities said Schwartz was driving a 2002 Chevrolet S-10 pickup faster than the 45 mph posted speed limit while traveling south on Dunham Road at 10 a.m. when he struck the back of the vehicle in front of him and set off four-vehicle crash.
Two other drivers were hurt. One victim suffered multiple broken ribs and injuries to several vital organs. The other suffered multiple broken bones in his leg that resulted in the leg being amputated. Paramedics suffered puncture wounds as they worked to extract that person from the vehicle, according to the news release.
Schwartz appeared Tuesday in Kane County bond court, where Judge Michael Noland set bail at $200,000. Schwartz must post 10% of that amount, $20,000 bond, to be released from jail while the case is pending. If he posts bond, he is prohibited from consuming alcohol and controlled substances, and he must submit to random drug and alcohol testing, according to the news release.
Schwartz's next court appearance is Sept. 22.
The Wayne Police Department and the Kane County Accident Reconstruction Team investigated the crash.