Joliet Pedestrian Death: Aggravated DUI Charges Filed

JOLIET, IL — A 30-year-old Joliet man is wanted by Joliet Police in connection with a deadly crash during the early morning hours of June 6 that killed pedestrian Alex Dauzvardis, 36. The victim was struck and killed at the intersection of West Park Front and Park Drive around 4:05 a.m. This week, a Will County grand jury returned a bill of indictment against defendant Samuel L. Byrd, who lives in the 600 block of Ida Street.

Byrd had not been taken into custody as of Friday afternoon, Oct. 25. The Joliet man is now facing eight counts of aggravated driving under the influence and one count of leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

According to the criminal complaint submitted by Joliet Police Officer Robert Mau Jr, Byrd is accused of having an alcohol concentration in his blood or breath that was 0.08 or more "while the defendant did not possess a driver's license or permit or a restricted driving permit or a judicial driving permit or a monitoring device."

One of the aggravated DUI charges states that Byrd was "under the combined influence of alcohol, other drug or drugs or intoxicating compound or compounds to a degree that renders the defendant incapable of safely driving."

According to his obituary, "Alex held jobs in various positions ranging from construction to health and fitness. He loved artwork and was very skilled in drawing, painting and tattoo artistry. His favorite color was green. His favorite song was Iris from the Goo Goo Dolls. He lived life with a sense of adventure and was always ready to help anyone in need."

Back in June, when the Joliet Police Department posted news about the fatality on social media, police announced that "detectives spoke to the driver of the vehicle" and "it is still an active on-going investigation."

This week, however, Byrd was charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

The criminal charge states that the defendant "knowingly failed to stop the vehicle he was driving after the vehicle was involved in an accident at West Park Front Street and Park Street which resulted in the death of Alex Dauzvardis."

The bench warrant that has been issued for Byrd's arrest includes a $500,000 bail. That means Byrd will need to post $50,000 to remain free while his court case is pending.

RELATED: Illinois Among Worst States For Pedestrian Deaths