Tragic Loss! Illinois High School Senior KILLED BY DRUNK DRIVER Days Before Graduation
A 17-year-old high school senior in Illinois will be remembered at his graduation in June after his car was hit by a drunk motorist who was speeding “recklessly,” authorities said.
Taeyoung Kim, 21, is accused of killing Marko Niketic, a senior at Glenbrook South High School, on Mother’s Day, according to a Glenview Police Department news release.
Kim was charged on Friday with two counts of aggravated DUI causing death, reckless homicide, aggravated DUI causing great bodily harm, reckless driving, speeding, driving without lights when required, driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident, and improper lane usage, according to police.
According to authorities, the crash occurred at 11 p.m. when Kim, who was traveling at high speeds, collided with Marko’s vehicle near an intersection. Marko was pronounced dead at the spot, and the passengers in both vehicles were rushed to hospitals in critical condition, according to the department.
According to authorities, Kim was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Glenview police are still investigating the crash.
WFLD claimed that Niketic’s girlfriend was the passenger in his vehicle. She was seriously injured, suffering a brain bleed and a shattered pelvis, according to the Chicago, Illinois-based television station.
Marko Niketic was ‘always with a smile’
Glenbrook South High School’s graduation ceremony is scheduled for June 2 at the Rosemont Theatre in Rosemont, Illinois, according to the school’s website.
A Glenbrook High School District 225 spokeswoman confirmed to USA TODAY that Marko would have graduated on June 2. The school system stated that it is “not providing a statement to the media.”
“(Marko) will be dearly missed by all of his Kumovi, family, and friends in the United States and Serbia,” reads the teenager’s obituary.
Rev. Darko Spasojevic spoke during Marko’s funeral on Thursday, describing him as an engaged and cherished church member, according to ABC 7 Chicago.
“He was always with a smile, very open, very smart (and) gifted,” Spasojevic told ABC 7 Chicago. “One common theme is that he had an energy and charisma to bring children and people together.”
Taeyoung Kim reached speeds of more than 130 mph
Kim was speeding at 131 mph with his headlights turned off when he collided with Marko’s vehicle, according to prosecutors, WFLD. Kim was traveling in an area with a 35 mph speed restriction.
During Kim’s first court appearance on Saturday, Judge David Kelly described the disaster as “a fast and furious deadly accident,” according to WFLD. He went on to say that Kim intentionally militarized his truck and that his acts demonstrated a “brazen disregard for human life,” according to the TV station.
Kim’s attorney, James Kuhn, translated for the 21-year-old’s father and stated that he wishes to express “sincere apologies and condolences to all victims’ families.”
“He’s blaming a lot on himself as a father, maybe a lack of supervision,” Kuhn said of Kim’s dad.