4th UPDATE: Reckless Homicide Charges Filed Against Driver in Single-Car Crash
Reckless homicide and aggravated DUI charges have been filed against the 19-year-old driver whose car crashed Friday in unincorporated St. Charles Township, resulting in the death of Nicholas Hanson, 19, of Geneva.
The fatal, single-vehicle traffic crash occurred around 2:15 a.m. Friday (Oct. 6, 2017) on Burr Road south of Hawkins Lane.
An initial investigation by the Kane County Sheriff’s Office indicates that a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Raphael Peruzza, 19, of Geneva was traveling south on Burr Road and for an unknown reason left the roadway and flipped, eventually coming to a rest in a tree line on the east side of Burr Road.
Prior to the arrival of deputies, Peruzza was able to exit the Jeep, which was on fire. After the fire was extinguished, emergency personnel found Hanson inside the Jeep.
Peruzza was transported to Delnor Hospital with apparent non-life-threatening injuries.
Hanson was pronounced deceased at the scene at 5:40 a.m., according to a news release from the Kane County County Coroner’s Office. An autopsy was performed on Oct. 6, 2017, and toxicology samples were sent to a forensic lab. The preliminary cause of death is pending upon the completion of the medicolegal death investigation.
On Saturday (Oct. 7), a warrant was issued for Peruzza and he was charged with the following offenses:
- Reckless Homicide, a Class 3 felony
- Aggravated DUI accident causing death, a Class 2 felony
- Driving in the wrong lane, a traffic offense
- Driving too fast for conditions, a traffic offense
Peruzza was transported Saturday from Delnor Hospital to the Kane County Adult Justice Center. His bond was set at $200,000.
The charges against Peruzza are not proof of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Funeral Services Tuesday
Services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday (Oct. 10, 2017) at Christ Community Church, 37W100 Bolcum Road, St Charles, IL 60175. In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate donations made to Hear the Cheers online at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/chsdonation.
A full obituary can be found on the Yurs Funeral Home website.
SOURCE: Kane County Sheriff’s Office news releases
