Drunken Driver Charged In Crash That Killed 3-Year-Old Boy: Police

OAK LAWN, IL — A South Holland man has been charged in an accident that killed a 3-year-old boy and injured three of the boy’s family members. Paul Sutton, 43, is facing felony counts of aggravated DUI involving death, aggravated DUI causing great bodily injury, aggravated DUI revoked or suspended for DUI, and a misdemeanor charge of aggravated speeding. Sutton had an active warrant for aggravated driving on a suspended or revoked license, police said.

The boy is identified as 3-year-old Matthew Dushenko, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner.

Just before 2 a.m. Saturday, Oak Lawn officers came upon a catastrophic accident at 95th Street and Ridgeland Avenue, involving a 2016 Jeep Cherokee and a 2022 Toyota Sienna. Both vehicles were heavily damaged. The occupants in both vehicles needed to be extricated and suffered from life-threatening to critical injuries. The Toyota was occupied by a family, including a mother, father and two children, ages three and seven.

Officers immediately began performing life-saving measures on the 3-year-old boy. He was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday. The child’s father was extricated from the car by Oak Lawn firefighters and also rushed to Christ hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

The mother, who was driving, and the 7-year-old were treated and released.

The driver of the Jeep Cherokee, later identified as Sutton, who was ejected half-way through his vehicle’s windshield. He needed to be extricated before being transported to Christ Medical Center in critical condition.

Police said Sutton was traveling westbound on 95th Street at speeds in excess of 100 mph before entering the intersection hitting the passenger side of the Toyota. Sutton was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol with a BAC of .196, more than twice the legal limit, police said. An open bottle of alcohol was also found inside the Jeep Cherokee, according to investigators.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved felony DUI charges. The charges against Sutton were heard Wednesday in Bridgeview. He was not in court as he is still hospitalized. Bail was set a $500,000. Sutton is due back in court Aug. 15 at the Bridgeview Courthouse.

Paul Sutton, 43 | Oak Lawn Police Department