Driver Charged In Accident That Ejected Mail Carrier

BURBANK, IL — A Chicago Ridge man who plowed into a USPS truck, severely injuring a Burbank mail carrier, in July was arrested after toxicology results indicated he had intoxicating compounds in his system when the accident occurred, prosecutors said. Subhi Khairallah, 40, appeared before Cook County Judge John Mahoney on a felony DUI charge. The mail carrier, who was ejected from her truck, is still recovering from her injuries.

Around 10:30 a.m., July 11, the 45-year-old mail carrier was leaning out of her USPS truck, delivering mail in the 6000 block of West 87th Street in Burbank, when she was hit from behind by a Chevy Tahoe. The impact ejected the mail carrier from the truck, which continued to run driverless, hitting a nearby home before careening into a light pole.

>>> Mail Carrier Ejected From USPS Truck In Burbank Crash

Police said the driver of the vehicle, later identified as Khairallah, was still in the Tahoe when officers arrived. Arriving officers claimed they smelled smelled cannabis in the Tahoe and on Khairallah’s clothing. He was brought to Advocate Christ Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Khairallah allegedly consented to a urine test at the hospital, which was sent to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab. Recently returned results indicated that Khairallah had cocaine in his system, the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor said Khairallah has three prior felony convictions in 2001, 2002 and 2007 for manufacture and delivery and burglary. Khairallah also has three bond forfeitures.

Khairallah’s attorney told the judge that his client has been clean since 2007. His father and boss were in court. The attorney asked the judge to set a reasonable bond.

“[Burbank Police] told him to come in at 9 a.m., then come in at 2 p.m.,” the attorney said. “He’s not a flight risk.”

“He has three bond forfeitures as well as causing horrendous injuries to a postal employee,” Mahoney said.

Bail was set at $25,000. The prosecutor also requested an order of protection for the mail carrier. Khairallah is due back in court Oct. 25.