Suburban family hurt in alleged DUI crash moments after picking up puppy for Christmas
By Tre Ward
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LOMBARD, Ill. (WLS) — A Chicago woman is facing charges for a DUI crash in the west suburbs that left a family of four with serious injuries, police said.
The crash happened around 12:12 p.m. Tuesday near Route 53 and the Illinois Prairie Path in Lombard.
The DUI suspect, Jaquelin Onofre Reyes, 27 of Chicago, was driving a Hummer SUV when she attempted to pass traffic in front of her, colliding with another car before crossing into oncoming traffic, crashing into northbound Infiniti SUV containing a family of four, including two children ages 7 and 10, Lombard police said.
Prosecutors say two open containers of alcohol were found inside Onofre Reyes’ vehicle.
Ten-year-old Brady Putnam was seriously injured, family says he required further surgery at a second hospital.
Onofre Reyes’ BAC was .238, which is nearly three times the legal limit, the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s office said.
A relative told ABC7 the family was on their way home from picking up a new puppy, which was a Christmas gift for the kids.
The Putnam family took pictures with the weeks-old pup just moments before this violent crash.
“I could not imagine the urgency that they were feeling when my sister’s calling out his name, and he’s not responding,” relative John Bruzina said.
Andrew Anderson, a former firefighter, was near the scene moments after the crash happened.
He jumped into action while another Good Samaritan helped with the pet.
“Soon as I seen smoke, I can tell something wasn’t right,” Anderson said. “She had pointed over to the boy, and I can tell right away looking at him that he needed help…In and out of consciousness. I would say he would not probably remember that wreck.”
The family now hoping to reunite the Putnam kids with their new family member.
ABC7 was told the pup was taken to a veterinary hospital to be checked out.
The suspect was charged with four counts of Aggravated DUI – Great Bodily Harm, officials said.
Onofre Reyes appeared in court Wednesday, she was released on electronic monitoring. Her next court appearance is Jan. 20.
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