A former resident of Homer Glen, Robert Ebel, was sentenced to twelve years in prison for a fatal DUI crash that claimed the life of John Exner, aged 51. DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin stated that Ebel entered a blind plea of guilty on April 30, 2024, to one count of Aggravated DUI – Accident Causing Death, a Class 2 Felony. Ebel, 55, appeared in front of Judge Margaret O’Connell on December 17, who then delivered the sentence, according to a report from the DuPage County State’s Attorney's Office.
The sentencing is the conclusion of a case that dates back to August 22, 2020, when Ebel, operating a 2015 Tesla, attempted to overtake a semi-truck using the right-hand shoulder of I-55 near Darien, Illinois. Instead, he collided with a disabled Toyota occupied by Exner. Authorities who arrived on the scene rushed Exner to the hospital for life-threatening injuries, including, a collapsed lung, internal bleeding, and spleen damage. Exner tragically succumbed to his injuries about thirteen hours later. It was found that at the time of the incident, Ebel had multiple substances in his system including amphetamine, cocaine metabolite, cocaine, and THC.
"Mr. Ebel's incredibly dangerous behavior that afternoon, cost John Exner his life," Berlin said. "While a twelve-year sentence will never replace the love and support John once provided to his friends and family, perhaps knowing that the man responsible for his death will be held responsible will help them gain some measure of closure in this horrible chapter in their lives." He also expressed hopes that the sentence would prompt Ebel to acknowledge the extent of the suffering his actions caused. As the DuPage County State’s Office reported, Berlin extended thanks to the Illinois State Police and the Assistant State's Attorneys for their work on this case.
Ebel is required to serve 85% of his sentence before he is eligible for parole. He will receive credit for the 958 days he has already spent in custody, during his pre-sentencing confinement.
