Man Charged With Homicide In Crash That Killed Geneva Couple

GENEVA, IL — A St. Charles man is facing charges in connection with a September car crash that claimed the lives of a Geneva couple.

Charles T. Rodgers, 20, was indicted by a grand jury on numerous charges this week, including two counts of reckless homicide, unlawful possession of a stolen car, reckless driving and speeding, according to a statement from the Kane County State's Attorney's Office.

The indictment came more than 7 months after the crash that killed 85-year-old Dennis White and his wife, 88-year-old Ritsuko White.

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According to police, the couple's 2005 Toyota Corolla was turning west onto Bricher Road from Fisher Drive around 1:40 p.m. on the day of the crash when it was struck by a 2020 BMW X3 that was heading east on Bricher Road.

The crash sent the BMW off the road into a wooded area north of the intersection, where it caught fire, but was quickly extinguished by firefighters, according to authorities.

The BMW was driven by Rodgers, who had three passengers in the car. According to prosecutors, Rodgers did not legally own the car and had obtained it from a St. Charles Chrysler Dodge dealership where he was employed at the time.

Prosecutors said that Rodgers slowed the BMW to a stop on Bricher Road, a residential area with a 45-mph speed limit, before accelerating aggressively and reaching a top speed of 119 mph moments before the crash. Instead of braking to avoid a collision, prosecutors said Rodgers steered the BMW to the left, apparently attempting to go around the Toyota Corolla; instead, he stuck the vehicle head-on.

Two of the BMW’s passengers suffered injuries in the crash. The third passenger was medically released at the scene.

Rodgers is scheduled to appear in court on May 20.