Teen Charged With DUI In Crash That Killed Two After Prom In Calumet City
CHICAGO (STMW) -- An 18-year-old man has been charged in connection with a crash that left two people dead—another teen and a 56-year-old Metra employee—in south suburban Calumet City early Saturday.
David Peden, 18, is charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI causing death, according to the Cook County state's attorney's office. He was ordered held on a $40,000 bond Tuesday and is next scheduled to appear in court June 8.
The crash happened in 700 block of State Street at 6:40 a.m., Calumet City Police Chief Edward Gilmore said.
Peden was driving home from the prom with two teenage boys, including 18-year-old Aaron K. Dunigan, when his westbound vehicle crossed the center line and struck an eastbound vehicle, driven by Juan Jose Rivera, authorities said.
Dunigan, of the 800 block of 163rd Street in Calumet City, was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:26 a.m., the Cook County medical examiner's office said.
Rivera was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead at 7:33 a.m., the medical examiner's office said. He lived in the 600 block of Ingraham Avenue in Calumet City.
Dunigan was a senior at Thornton Fractional North High School in Calumet City, Principal Dwayne Evans said in a statement on the school's website. He had played quarterback for the football team.
"It is with a heavy heart that the TF North community announces the death of one of our senior Meteors, Aaron Dunigan," Evans said. "Please keep all families involved in your thoughts and prayers."
Rivera was a longtime Metra employee who was on his way to work at the time of the crash, according to a Metra spokesperson.
"Juan was a very dedicated and valued employee who will be sorely missed by all at Metra who work with him," CEO Donald Orseno said in a statement. "Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends during this difficult time."
Rivera was a track inspector on the Electric District line, Metra spokeswoman Meg Reile said. He had worked for railroads for the last 37 years.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2015. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
