1 • Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020 - Rock Valley Publishing
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VOL. 17 • NO. 4
365172
Independent
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THURSDAY, JAN. 16, 2020
Man pleads guilty in crash that killed 17-year-old DGN student
About the incident On Feb. 19, 2019, at approximately 10:55 a.m., the Downers Grove Police Department responded to a report of a person, later identified as Downers Grove North student Elizabeth Dunlap, struck by a vehicle in the intersection of Main and Grant Streets, just steps away from the main entrance to Downers Grove North High School. An investigation into the incident revealed that Dunlap was on her way to school, crossing Main St. within the marked crosswalk in conjunction with the “Walk” signal, when she was struck by a vehicle traveling northbound in the southbound lanes on Main Street. The investigation further revealed that the vehicle, driven by Kucharski, entered the intersection at Grant Street against a red light. At the time of the crash, Kucharski had a blood alcohol content of 0.031 and exhibited signs of impairment when interviewed by police. Further investigation revealed that Kucharski had alcohol, Xanax® and cocaine in his system. Authorities also found two crack pipes, crack cocaine and other drugs as well as vodka and beer at a hotel room in which
Kucharski was staying. In his car authorities found Xanax, Benadryl® and suboxone. Elizabeth Dunlap suffered life-threatening injuries and was pronounced dead from her injuries on Friday, February 22. That same day, Judge Robert Miller
issued a $5 million arrest warrant for Kucharski. Four days later, on February 26, Kucharski appeared in Bond Court where bond was set in the amount of $750,000 with 10% to apply. On May 15, 2019, Kucharski posted the necessary $75,000, or 10%, of his bond and was released from custody.
Berlin gives comments “This morning, Mr. Kucharski appeared before the Court where he took responsibility for the death of Beth Dunlap,” Berlin said. “While today’s plea does nothing to ease the pain Beth’s family, friends and the entire community have endured since February 19 and
will most likely feel their entire lives, it is the first step in holding Mr. Kucharski responsible for his incredibly reckless and irresponsible actions.” Kucharski’s next court appearance is scheduled for Feb. 27, 2020, for return of the Pre-sentence Report. His sentencing date is scheduled for March 6, 2020.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Addison Independent
Necessary roughness
Ardmore first-grade students rubbed a piece of sandpaper on their hands to understand the rough texture of a cow’s tongue during a lesson about dairy farming led by Suzanne Anderson from the DuPage County Farm Bureau (far left). Anderson explained that the roughness and the agility of a cow’s tongue is what allows them to pull up grass for eating. (Did you know that cows don’t have upper front teeth??) Story and more photos inside.
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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced on Thursday, Jan. 9 that a Naperville man has pleaded guilty to striking 17-year-old Elizabeth Dunlap with his car and killing her early last year. Joseph Kucharski, 52, with a last known address in Naperville, appeared before Judge Liam Brennan in court, where he entered a blind plea of guilty to one count of Aggravated DUI-Alcohol/Drugs Causing Death, a Class 2 Felony, and one count of Reckless Homicide, a Class 3 Felony. He faces a maximum penalty of up to 14 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections to be served at 85%. Kucharski appeared before Judge Liam Brennan who accepted his plea.
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