Downers Grove Man Pleads Guilty in 2013 DUI Crash that Killed Passenger

Published August 20, 2015.

A Downers Grove man charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol pleaded guilty Aug. 14 in DuPage County Circuit Court, according to the Chicago Tribune.

• Update: Judge Considers Lighter Sentence for DUI Driver at Request of Deceased’s Wife

William J. Decero, 51, was driving Sept. 22, 2013, when he and his passenger, Thomas Fitzsimons, 48 of Hinsdale, crashed at Spring Road and Salt Creek Circle in Oak Brook.

Decero was driving Fitzsimons’ car and both were wearing seat belts when Decero swerved off the road and crashed into a wooded area, according to DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Decero’s blood alcohol content was more than 0.08, the state’s attorney’s office reported.

Police were called around 12:04 a.m., and Fitzsimons was pronounced dead at the scene. Decero was taken to the hospital. He was taken into police custody after his release from the hospital Sept. 23, 2013.

Decero will be sentenced Sept. 24, the Tribune reported.