Michael DeBoard's Family Sues Defendant In DUI Homicide

JOLIET, IL - Lucas Roth has been charged with four felony crimes in connection with an early morning crash on Interstate 55 that killed Michael DeBoard, 60, a Wilmington native who lived in Braidwood. Last week, the victim's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit at the Will County Courthouse against the criminal defendant as well as his parents Michael Roth and Lois Roth. The Roth family is from Homer Glen and lives in the 12000 block of West 159th Street, according to court filings.

"We're just seeking justice for the family," Joliet attorney Bryan Shell told Patch on Friday.

"It was definitely something that was preventable."

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Michael DeBoard's wife, Sandra DeBoard, by attorney Bryan Shell of the downtown Joliet law firm of Block, Klukas, Manzella & Shell.

As for Lucas Roth, he turned just 28 years old this week. He stands accused of driving drunk and driving recklessly when he crashed his parents' 2014 Kia Optima into DeBoard's 1997 Ford Aspire. The collision occurred in the left lane of Interstate 55 just west of Bluff Road near Channahon. According to the Illinois State Police, Roth was intoxicated, and he was speeding when he struck the back end of Deboard's car causing the driver to lose to control, hit an embankment and roll over.

The 60-year-old Braidwood man died several days later at Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center. Roth was not injured. At the time of the incident, the Illinois State Police arrested Roth on suspicion of DUI causing bodily injury. Roth was given a $50,000 bond and after spending two days in jail, his family came up with the bail money and he has remained free ever since.

Weeks later, Will County Judge Carla Alessio Policandriotes approved a request from Roth's private defense counsel Ted Hammel of Joliet to allow his client to return to the state of Missouri where Roth resides. Roth lives in O'Fallon, court records show.

At the moment, Roth faces two felony counts of aggravated DUI causing death and two counts of aggravated DUI causing bodily harm. The defendant is slated to appear in front of Will County Judge David Carlson at 9:30 a.m. next Thursday for a pretrial hearing.

According to the civil suit, Lucas Roth is accused of negligence, wrongful death and his parents are named as codefendants because the Kia Optima involved in their son's fatal wreck belonged to them.

The lawsuit asks the court to render a verdict against the Roths in excess of $50,000. Survivors are listed in the civil lawsuit as being his wife, Sandra, his sons David DeBoard and Ryan DeBoard and his two daughters, Caryn Robilotta and Kori Hansen.

Crash victim Michael DeBoard

"That as a direct and proximate result of one or more of the aforesaid negligent acts and or omissions of the Defendant Lucas Roth, plaintiff's decedent, Michael DeBoard, then and there suffered great pain and anguish, both in mind and body, and sustained severe and fatal injuries," attorney Shell wrote.

"Plaintiff Sandra DeBoard expended and became liable for final expenses arising from the death of Michael DeBoard."

Mugshot of Lucas Roth via Will County Sheriff's Department, secondary image of Michael DeBoard via Reeves Funeral Home