Bench Trial Begins for Lisle Man Charged In Fatal DUI Crash

Caption: James Kisla, 55, of Lisle

The husband of a woman killed in a pedestrian accident testified Tuesday that he thought his wife had plenty of time to cross the road when she was hit by a motorist in July 2011, the Chicago Tribune reported.

William Early was the first witness to take the stand in the DuPage County bench trial of 55-year-old James Kisla, who is on trial for an aggravated DUI charge.

Early and his wife, Donna, were walking home to their Naperville residence after leaving a fireworks display in Lisle. Donna was struck by Kisla’s van as she crossed Yackley Avenue around 10:15 p.m. July 3, 2011, prosecutors have alleged.

The 69-year-old Naperville woman died several hours later.

In opening statements, assistant state’s attorney Joe Lindt said that Kisla allegedly admitted drinking “three beers” during the fireworks. He declined taking a breath test after the accident, according to the Tribune.

Defense attorney Donald Ramsell claimed that Donna Early ran in front of the van. He also said that passengers in the van would testify that Kisla was not impaired.

Ramsell stated that an expert witness on crash reconstructions would also testify that the average driver would not have been able to brake in time to avoid hitting Donna Early.

Read the full story in the Chicago Tribune