Man, 29, Charged in Crash that Killed 94-Year-Old Woman

By LAUREN TRAUT (Patch Staff)

Photo: Patrick O’Conner, Cook County Sheriff’s Department

A Justice man has been charged in connection with an April 10 crash that killed a 94-year-old woman in unincorporated Lemont .

Patrick O’Connor, 29, was charged Saturday with aggravated driving under the influence causing bodily harm or death. His bond was set at $750,000 during a hearing on Sunday at the George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building.

At approximately 1:45 p.m. on Friday, O’Connor was driving a 2002 Mercury Sable westbound on Archer Avenue in unincorporated Lemont when he crossed into eastbound traffic near 107th Street and struck a 2011 Subaru Outback, according to the Sheriff’s Police preliminary investigation.

The passenger in the Outback, 94-year-old Lillian Landuska of Brookfield, was taken to an area hospital where she died.

O’Connor and the driver of the Outback, a 66 year-old Downers Grove woman, were treated for minor injuries at area hospitals.

During their investigation, Sheriff’s Police detectives learned that O’Connor had consumed alcohol and had been administered methadone earlier that day.

O’Connor also has been cited for driving too fast for conditions, failure to reduce speed, DUI, and crossing the median.

O’Connor remains in custody at Cook County Jail in lieu of bond. His next court date is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, at the Bridgeview Courthouse.

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