Dentist Faces Reckless Homicide Charges In Fatal I-88 Crash
WHEATON (CBS) -- A west suburban dentist with a history of driving while impaired was charged with reckless homicide Monday for allegedly driving his Porsche the wrong way on I-88 earlier this month, causing an accident that killed a woman and her father.
William A. Howe, 43, of Naperville, is charged with two counts of reckless homicide, a Class 3 felony, for allegedly crashing his car into another vehicle, resulting in the death of Sher Ali Shalwani, 75 and Farzana Ali, 38, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's office.
On Aug. 6 about 6:30 p.m. near Lisle, Howe was driving eastbound on I-88 at a high rate of speed when he crossed over the center divide into the south shoulder of the westbound lanes.
He then turned into oncoming traffic, striking a Toyota Corolla in which Shalwani and Farzana, both of Elmhurst, were passengers, a release from the state's attorney's office said.
Illinois State Police said witnesses reported seeing cash flying out of the little red car as it drove on the before using a turnaround to cross into the wrong lanes.
Shalwani was dead at the scene while Farzana was transported to a hospital where she later died. Howe also remains hospitalized from injuries suffered in the crash.
"On August 6, through no fault of their own, Sher Ali Shalwani, and Farzana Ali lost their lives in a terrible car crash," State's Atty. Robert Berlin said in the release.
"If these allegations are proven true, Mr. Howe is responsible for this senseless loss of life and will be held accountable.
Howe's driver's license was valid, though a Secretary of State's office spokeswoman said he was convicted in DuPage County in 2010 of carrying open alcohol in his vehicle.
He was arrested in Naperville in 2008 for driving under the influence of drugs, having expired plates, failing to signal and passing in a no-passing zone, but the first three charges were dropped, the spokeswoman said.
And six months ago, shortly before 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 6, Howe was pulled over in Naperville and arrested again for driving under the influence of drugs, having expired plates and failing to signal when changing lanes, court records show.
His bail was set at $3,000 but raised in June after he didn't show up to court in April. He's expected back in DuPage County court on that matter in a few weeks after a public defender was appointed.
Records show that his Naperville home is in foreclosure and his dental practice — Dr. William A. Howe, DDS, in Aurora — is closed.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
