Man Drove 75 MPH When He Killed Beecher Family: Glasgow

JOLIET, IL — Will County authorities revealed that the 25-year-old man charged Tuesday in Will County Circuit Court with 16 counts of reckless homicide was traveling at least 75 mph when he blew through a rural intersection in Beecher and struck Lindsey Schmidt's vehicle. The July 24 tragedy killed the 29-year-old woman, who was also pregnant with her fourth child. Her three other children, Kaleb, Owen and Weston, all died as a result of the horrific crash.

Despite the filing of 16 separate counts of reckless homicide against Sean Woulfe, Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow told reporters at an afternoon press conference that "it would be a very large hurdle" to convince a Will County judge to issue consecutive prison terms in the event that Woulfe is convicted of reckless homicide. "So that's not likely," Glasgow said. The most realistic maximum prison sentence is approximately 10 years, Glasgow said.

On Tuesday, Will County Chief Judge Richard Schoenstedt signed a warrant for Woulfe's arrest on the 16 separate counts of reckless homicide. Will County deputies arrested Woulfe at his home in Beecher without any problems. Just weeks before the crash, Woulfe had moved to Beecher from Manteno. "To our knowledge, he's not married nor has children," Glasgow said.

Glasgow told reporters last month's Will County tragedy was unspeakable. Throughout the investigation, Will County officials remained in regular contact with Lindsey Schmidt's husband, to keep him and other family members apprised. "Obviously, he's a God-fearing man," Glasgow said. "He deserves tremendous credit. He's a very strong person, a very religious person."

During the press conference, Glasgow took a moment to offer his first-hand observations about young adult drivers. He's alarmed by some of their driving habits.

"I'm on the road. I see young people speeding and cutting in between other cars. I just shudder to think the next corner we go around, you're going to see a wreckage," Glasgow said. "So, it's not worth it. You're not only endangering yourself, but everybody else on the roadway when you act recklessly behind the wheel and you have to pay attention ..."

In addition to reflecting on the allegations of excessive speeding by the defendant, Glasgow said the site of the Beecher tragedy also demands notice. "The excessive speed, especially, this was a rural road, it's the worst constructed road we have in our society. There's no engineering on these things, minimal engineering, they're patch work, they're narrow, there's no curb and gutter and there's no striping. So all the normal safety features were completely absent except this stop sign, which was completely visible to anyone that was looking. So, running a stop sign, especially on a rural road like this, where the speed limit, without being posted is 55 mph, you've got to be very vigilant."

The tragedy was particularly disturbing from Glasgow's office peers, he said, pointing out that he, himself, has five children. At the time of her death, Lindsey Schmidt was "on her way to Bible study," Glasgow said.

"It's hard to even imagine," Glasgow said, reflecting on losing your entire family in such a tragic manner.

"This is an unspeakable tragedy," Glasgow said. "I've been doing this 37 years. Our heart goes out."

Glasgow said the criminal investigation took a while because Will County sheriff's investigators were being extremely thorough. Also, prosecutors retained an outside crash expert to help with their case, Glasgow said. "We wanted to make sure we left no stone unturned," Glasgow said.

"You don't want to jump the gun when you're dealing with technical analysis," he said.

Prosecutors contend that Woulfe was speeding at least 20 mph over the 55 mph limit when he ignored the stop sign on Corning Road at the intersection of Yates Avenue. His 2002 Chevy S-10 struck Lindsey Schmidt's 2014 Subaru Outback.

Sean Woulfe, 25,

During the press conference, some reporters asked whether Woulfe may have been using a cell phone at the time of the wreck. Glasgow politely responded that he was not in a position to comment either way.

"I can't comment on the facts of the case," he answered.

Earlier, Glasgow was asked whether Woulfe may have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

"At this point, there is no physical evidence of any illegal drugs or alcohol," Glasgow answered.

When asked if Woulfe had any past history of serious driving lapses, Glasgow said, "He does not have any significant driving record."

Some reporters struggled to understand how many years Woulfe could face in prison, given the fact that 16 reckless homicide charges were brought against him.

"Realistically, the 10 years that's allowed under the extended term," Glasgow tried to explain.

Earlier, Will County had issued a traffic citation for disregarding a stop sign against Woulfe. But that minor traffic violation was subsequently dismissed.

Glasgow said the dismissal was a strategic move. He referred to the stop sign violation "as a ticking time bomb." He wanted to make sure that his office avoided a potential situation of "double-jeopardy."

"It's routine that we would drop that charge," Glasgow said.

Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley acknowledged during the press conference that the criminal investigation "took a while." However, the sheriff indicated he was pleased with the final outcome, the filing of the 16 reckless homicide charges against the former Manteno resident.

"These cases don't get any easier," Kelley said. "You're talking about three small children and a mother."

In all likelihood, it may take nine months to a year before Woulfe's case would go to trial, Glasgow said.

The Schmidt family tragedy isn't the first time a fatal crash investigation has taken time to yield criminal charges. In September 2016, a 19-year-old Joliet man was allegedly driving nearly twice the posted speed limit on Larkin Avenue when his car crossed the center line, hitting an elderly couple's vehicle head-on. The crash killed 82-year-old U.S. Navy veteran and local businessman Stewart McCutcheon and injured his 76-year-old wife.

Several traffic citations against driver Dwayne Griffin were dismissed in October 2016. It wasn't until late June of this year, more than nine months after the crash, that felony charges of reckless homicide and aggravated reckless driving were filed against the now-20-year-old.

For more related stories about the Beecher tragedy:

• How To Help Schmidt Family After Tragic Crash Claims Lives Of Mother, Sons

• Third Child Dies After Crash That Killed Pregnant Mom, Toddlers

Will County Sheriff's Department booking mugshot Sean Woulfe

Schmidt family photo via Becky Broderick of Broderick photography.