Woman Charged With Reckless Homicide After Fatal Farnsworth Crash
Aurora police have secured upgraded charges against a 27-year-old Streator woman in connection with a Feb. 7 crash that killed her 33-year-old male passenger.
Stephanie A. Figueroa of the 800 block of Elm Street, Streator, is now charged with reckless homicide and two counts of aggravated DUI.
Stephanie A. Figueroa CREDIT: Aurora Police Department
The crash occurred at just after 2 a.m., Feb. 7, and claimed the life of Obed Cruz-Hernandez, 33, of the 400 block of South Smith Street, Aurora.
Figueroa was allegedly driving her 1996 Volkswagen Jetta southbound on Farnsworth Avenue when she lost control of the vehicle, went off the road just south of Indian Avenue, and then hit a residence in the 500 block of North Farnsworth. The force of the crash caused the Jetta to overturn at least once and resulted in Cruz-Hernandez being ejected. The vehicle came to rest on its roof in the southbound lanes of Farnsworth.
Two Aurora police sergeants on patrol in the area witnessed the crash and when they drove upon the scene, Figueroa allegedly crawled out of one of the windows and attempted to run. She was taken into custody without incident in the back yard of a home close to the one she struck. Figueroa was treated for minor injuries at an Aurora hospital, charged with two counts of DUI pending further investigation, and posted bond.
Cruz-Hernandez, who was the only other occupant of the Jetta, was pronounced dead at Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora approximately 40 minutes after the crash. There were no other injuries.
Upon receiving the results of forensic evidence and other findings of the investigation, the upgraded charges were authorized by the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office. Figueroa was taken into custody without incident at around 12:20 p.m. Feb. 12 at her Streator home by members of the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Her court information was not immediately available.
SOURCE: City of Aurora news release
