Pedestrian Death In Joliet: Drunken Driver Learns His Sentence

JOLIET, IL — Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that Samuel Byrd, 34, of Joliet, pleaded guilty and got sentenced Friday to five years of prison for causing a deadly crash in the summer of 2019 that killed 36-year-old Joliet pedestrian Alex Dauzvardis.

“Sadly, no amount of time in prison can make up for the loss of his life or repair the wounds to his family and loved ones," Glasgow declared in Friday's press release.

Will County Circuit Judge Carmen Goodman sentenced Byrd, who has remained in the Will County Jail since his arrest on Oct. 21, 2020. Byrd pleaded guilty to the felony crime of aggravated driving under the influence.

On June 6, 2019, Dauzvardis was walking to work around 4 a.m. near West Park Front Street and Park Drive on Joliet's west side.

After Byrd ran over Dauzvardis in the middle of the night, he drove away, only to return to the scene of the crime 14 minutes later, according to Glasgow.

“Samuel Byrd deliberately got behind the wheel of his truck and drove that morning, despite having been drinking alcohol and engaging in drug use throughout the night and into the early morning hours," Glasgow remarked Friday.

Authorities pronounced Dauzvardis dead at the scene.

Joliet Patch has written multiple stories about the case over the years.

Back in September 2020, Joliet Patch produced a lengthy expose revealing how at no point during the previous year did the Joliet Police Department administration of Chief Al Roechner utilize social media, its Facebook page, local news media outlets or the Will County Crime Stoppers organization in an effort to locate Byrd.

Byrd had not been arrested for nearly an entire year after a Will County grand jury indicted him in connection with the pedestrian fatality, which was investigated by Joliet Police Officer Bob Mau Jr.

Finally, Oct. 21, 2020, the Will County Sheriff's Office took Byrd into custody, and he has remained in the Will County Jail ever since.

Following the deadly crash near West Park, Byrd submitted to a blood and urine sample and his blood alcohol concentration level was 0.168, which was more than double the legal limit to be drunk in Illinois, according to Glasgow.

Byrd's urine sample showed he had recently ingested cocaine as well as marijuana. Byrd had been living in the 600 block of Ida Street, which is just a few blocks away from where his deadly crash occurred.

"His actions tragically ended the life of a father, brother, and son who was simply minding his own business and walking down the street,” Glasgow declared Friday.

Dauzvardis attended Laraway grade school and Joliet Central High School. He was survived by his parents Michael and Mary, his two daughters, Autumn and Ella Riggs and their mother, Amy Riggs.

"Alex held jobs in various positions ranging from construction to health and fitness," his 2019 obituary noted. "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."

Byrd gets 1,106 days credit for time served. He will serve a remaining 445 days in prison, according to the Will County State's Attorney.

Lastly, Glasgow commended Assistant Will County State’s Attorney Erin Krone, Victim Witness Advocate Jessica Gil, Secretary Traci Knutson and the Joliet Police Department for their dedication and hard work in this matter.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Joliet Police Can't Find DUI Defendant In Pedestrian Death

Captured: Joliet Man Charged In DUI Pedestrian Fatality

Joliet Pedestrian Death: Aggravated DUI Charges Filed