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UPDATES
 March 1: An Adams County judge found probable cause after a preliminary hearing to hold 22 year-old Briann Buse over for trial on the charges of Aggravated DUI Causing Death in the November 2009 crash that killed Lesa Dee Richmiller. The investigation revealed that the defendant crossed into an oncoming lane of traffic when she hit Richmiller’s car and had a BAC of 0.098.
March 12: Onofrio Lorusso, 19, entered pleas of guilty to one count of reckless homicide and three counts of Aggravated DUI. Lorusso faces up to 14 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The plea stems from the June 14, 2009 fatal crash where Cameron Godee was killed. He will be sentenced by Kane County Judge Timothy Q. Sheldon.
March 27: Steven Hanner 19, was found guilty of Aggravated DUI of Drugs Causing Death and DUI of Drugs and Possession of Cannabis by a Jefferson County jury. Judge Tomas Tedeschi had dismissed five additional counts of Aggravated DUI of Drugs earlier in the jury trial. The defendant was remanded to the Jefferson County Jail where he awaits sentencing. Hanner was convicted based on the June 14, 2006 crash which took the life of Ronald Hale.
DUI charges have been dropped in a Grundy County case where a bicyclist lost his life. Dale Smith was originally charged with DUI for a November 22, 2009 incident in which Smith hit bicyclist William Posey. Ultimately, blood test results revealed the defendant had a BAC of 0.053. That, coupled with the fact that there was no provable “bad driving,” led the State’s Attorney to dismiss the charge. Investigation in the days subsequent to the crash revealed that Smith was southbound on a rural road, when he approached a non-lighted intersection with a stop sign. The victim was riding westbound on the wrong side of the road and was wearing dark clothing. Additionally, witnesses indicated that Posey had ridden the bike in front of Smith’s pick-up truck. Coroner’s toxicology reports indicated the victim had a BAC of 0.223. Smith will be tried in April for the offense of Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident.
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