Palos Park Man Sentenced in DUI Crash That Killed Minooka Motorcyclist

Ron Oswald was on his way to a sendoff for a Romeoville soldier when he was killed on Route 126 in Plainfield. Credit: File photo

When he was killed on a July afternoon in 2012, Ron Oswald left behind eight children, 14 grandchildren and countless friends through his memberships in theWarriors Watch Riders, Patriot Guard Riders and Will County ABATE. He was 57 years old.

• Motorcyclists Ride for Ron: Groups Pay Tribute to Minooka Man Killed in Crash
• Minooka Motorcycle Rider Died En Route to Romeoville Warrior’s Watch Event

On Monday, the man who admitted to having heroin and Vicodin in his system when he caused the crash that killed Oswald learned his fate.

Andrew Henderson, 26, of Palos Park was sentenced to nine years — the maximum amount of time sought by prosecutors as part of a plea deal, the Herald-News reported.

Instead of heading straight to prison, Henderson will remain at the Will County jail while his attorney files a motion asking Judge Carla Policandriotes to reconsider the sentence.

In addition to the nine-year prison term, Henderson is also slated to complete a drug treatment program, and was sentenced to three years’ probation and 480 hours of community service.

“Today’s sentencing was really hurtful, because it won’t bring Ron back,” said Barbara FitzPatrick, a friend of Oswald’s. Since his death, he’s missed the births of several new grandchildren. “He’s got three grandkids who will never meet him,” she said.

On July 14, 2012, Henderson was behind the wheel of his Dodge Durango when he rear-ended a Nissan Altima at the intersection of Route 126 and County Line Road in Plainfield. The crash pushed the vehicle into the path of Oswald’s motorcycle, fatally injuring him.

Four people in the Nissan — a mother, father, infant and toddler — had to be extricated from the vehicle. The woman suffered serious injuries including a fractured hip, four broken ribs and injury to her foot, police said.

Henderson was ejected from his SUV, which rolled over during the crash. He was taken to Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital, where tests showed drugs in his system including morphine, codeine and heroin.

At the time of the crash, Henderson was on probation for a Cook County heroin possession case.

In May, Henderson pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated DUI. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop other DUI and traffic charges, and said they would not ask for a prison sentence of more than nine years.

“We don’t think it’s long enough,” FitzPatrick said. She was also troubled by the defense attorney’s plan to ask the judge to reconsider.

“It’s just a nightmare. It’s still painful for the children,” she said. “The law needs to be changed — if you kill somebody, you should got to jail, bottom line.”

FitzPatrick said that Oswald, who was not a veteran but who often participated in welcomes and sendoffs for local servicemen and women, rode 347 miles to escort the body of a fallen soldier just the day before his death.

That’s indicative of the kind of man he was, she said.

“He’s got friends who miss him every day,” she said. “It’s just heart wrenching.”