DRIVER THAT KILLED 3 IN HEAD-ON COLLISION CHARGED WITH 14 COUNTS
Three people including a 9-year old boy were killed and an 11-year old girl was injured in southern Illinois last week in a head-on collision caused by a drunk driver who previously served five years in jail for drunk driving convictions. The driver had a blood alcohol level of 0.29...more than three times the 0.8 limit and was driving on a revoked license. He was still serving supervised release from his previous conviction.
The drunk driver was driving northbound in the southbound lanes of Illinois Route 255 for 8 minutes before slamming into the vehicle carrying four passengers.
The driver, Newton M. Keene, has been charged with 3 counts of reckless homicide; 3 counts of aggravated driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 or more which results in death; 3 counts of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol which results in a death; 1 count of aggravated driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 or more causing great bodily harm; 1 count of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol causing great bodily harm; 1 count of aggravated reckless driving; and 2 counts of aggravated driving while under the influence.
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), every year, nearly 13,000 people are killed by drunk drivers with an illegal alcohol level of .08 BAC or above. That means that every month more than 1,000 families must live with the tragic consequences of drunk driving. For more information on the MADD campaign to eliminate drunk driving, please click here.
My deepest condolences to the families of the victims. This is a tragedy of an unspeakable nature and it is my hope that the man responsible for this is held accountable for his actions.
If you have been injured in a car accident, please contact The Law Offices of Jeffrey J. Kroll. We will fight for you.
