A drunk driving collision that killed five teenagers in Oswego three years ago is back in the news. Two of the survivors from the DUI crash have been called to testify in the DUI trial of 26-year-old Sandra Vasquez, CBS Chicago reported.
Her trial on multiple counts of aggravated DUI and reckless homicide is scheduled to begin in June in Kendall County Court. While Illinois DUI attorney Kathleen Colton has kept quiet about her client's defense strategy, she insists that tests, photographs, examinations and other evidence will be introduced at trial.
Sandra Vasquez's attorney tried unsuccessfully to move the trial out of Kendall County due to the intense media coverage she believes jeopardizes her client's right to a fair trial. Judge Clint Hull indicated that he may reconsider if jury selection in Kendall County proves difficult.
The Saturn sedan driven by Sandra Vasquez was packed with nine teenagers when it veered off the road and slammed into a pole along Route 31 in the early morning of Feb. 11, 2007. Five of the passengers aged 14 through 17 died in the collision.
Several motions have been filed in the case, which is one of the main reasons it has taken so long to get to trial. Kelly Dillon, father of survivor Josh Dillon, lamented that the process has taken so long:
"By the time this goes to trial people will forget about the tragedy that was behind this."
Ironically, it seems like that would be preferable in order to ensure Sandra Vasquez's right to an impartial jury.
But now it appears as if it will proceed. A cut-off date for any additional motions has been set and Kendall county State's Attorney Eric Weiss has subpoenaed Josh Dillon and another accident survivor, Bobby Larsen. Several relatives of the victims also have been subpoenaed.
Sandra Vasquez was deemed indigent and provided "thousands of dollars" for hiring an expert witness. Her attorney has been trying to block the admission of blood samples and statements she made to officers at the scene.
This case if full of controversy; as you can see for yourself in the Resources Section.
Related Resources:
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Felony Drunk Driving (FindLaw)
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Drivers Switched Prior to Crash (Ledger-Sentinel)
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Judge Disgusted by Oswego Police Tactics (Sun-Times Beacon Blog)
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Find a Chicago DUI Lawyer (FindLaw)
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