Traffic & Transit

Glasgow: Joliet Officer's DUI Case Gets Special Prosecutor

Joliet police officer Erin Zilka has 12 years of experience in police work — six with Joliet and her first six with Shorewood.

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Erin Zilka was behind the wheel Sunday morning when she hit a box truck on I-55, killing her passenger, authorities say.
Erin Zilka was behind the wheel Sunday morning when she hit a box truck on I-55, killing her passenger, authorities say. (Image via Illinois State Police )

JOLIET, IL — State's Attorney Jim Glasgow received permission Tuesday from Will County Chief Judge Richard Schoenstedt for the appointment of a special prosecutor to handle the driving under the influence case against off-duty Joliet police officer Erin Zilka.

The Illinois State Police charged Zilka on Sunday morning with DUI after a deadly crash on Interstate 55. The crash killed Zilka's passenger, Berwyn police officer Charles Schauer, 33.

Authorities determined that Zilka's vehicle plowed into a southbound disabled box truck that was hit by another motorist a couple minutes earlier. The initial crash around 6 a.m. involving the box truck blocked two southbound lanes along the I-55 stretch between Plainfield and Joliet.

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The Illinois Attorney General's Office will now be responsible for selecting a special prosecutor to handle the case against Zilka, court documents reflect.

Read more: Cop Charged With DUI 'Completely Devastated' Over Officer's Death

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