Beecher Crash: Reckless Homicide Charges Filed In Deaths Of Pregnant Mother, Toddlers

BEECHER, IL — A 25-year-old Beecher man faces 16 felony counts of reckless homicide in the deaths of a 29-year-old mother, her unborn child and her three young sons. Lindsey Schmidt and her sons Kaleb, Weston and Owen died after a July 24 crash in unincorporated Beecher. The tragedy left the community reeling, and some expressed outrage after the driver of the pickup that struck the Schmidt family's vehicle was issued a stop sign violation citation.

On Tuesday, Sean B. Woulfe, of the unit block of Cardinal Drive, was charged with 14 felony counts of reckless homicide and two counts of reckless homicide of an unborn child. His bond was set at $1 million, according to jail records.

The Will County Sheriff's Department scheduled a press conference for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in the case. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

The stop sign citation against Woulfe was dismissed in early August. Officials said the violation was dropped to avoid potential "double jeopardy" issues in the event charges were filed in the case.

Police said Woulfe's truck hit the Schmidt family's Subaru Outback when he went through a stop sign at Corning Road and Yates Avenue the morning of July 24. The force of the crash sent the Outback into a nearby field.

Lindsey Schmidt and baby Kaleb were pronounced dead at the scene, and brothers Weston, 4, and Owen, 6, succumbed to their injuries in the days that followed.

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Sean B. Woulfe/Will County Sheriff's Office