A 27-year-old Chicago man is facing felony DUI charges after a late-night crash on the Kennedy Expressway in March that killed two people and sent three others to the hospital. Authorities say the suspect turned himself in this week and is now being held at the Cook County Jail while prosecutors move forward with the case.
Arrest and charges
According to WGN-TV, 27-year-old Isaiah Olivas surrendered to authorities on June 2. He is charged with two counts of aggravated driving under the influence involving death and two counts of aggravated driving under the influence causing great bodily harm.
WGN-TV reports that Olivas was initially treated at a hospital for injuries from the crash before being transferred to the Cook County Jail. The station identified the two people who died as Rashad Dean and Nadinah Cunnings. Officials have not shared further information about their families.
Crash on the Kennedy
The Illinois State Police say the crash happened around 1:46 a.m. on March 15 on southbound Interstate 90 near Randolph Street. A car that was stopped in the left lane was hit from behind, according to Fox 32 Chicago.
Five people in total were taken to area hospitals, four from the stopped vehicle and the other driver, Fox 32 Chicago reports. Two of those victims later died. Lanes on the expressway were shut down for several hours while troopers investigated the scene.
What the charges mean
Under Illinois law, a DUI that "proximately causes" a death is treated as an aggravated offense with tougher penalties. The Illinois Vehicle Code says a conviction for causing the death of one person can carry a prison term of 3 to 14 years, and a crash that kills two or more people can carry 6 to 28 years, according to the Illinois General Assembly. 625 ILCS 5/11-501.
Next steps
Olivas remains in custody as court proceedings get underway and investigators with the Illinois State Police continue to collect evidence and interview witnesses. Authorities have not yet released an arraignment date. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Illinois State Police, according to Fox 32 Chicago.
