William Decero /      Deceased Tom Fitzsimons, had allowed Decero to drive his car.

Oak Brook Police —

RIDE WITH A DRUNK DRIVER, BUY A TICKET TO YOUR OWN FUNERAL

From Chicago Daily Herald

A Downers Grove man was drunk when his vehicle crashed over the weekend in Oak Brook, killing his passenger, prosecutors said Tuesday.

William Decero, 49, of the 5000 block of Washington Street, was charged with aggravated drunken driving and held on $750,000 bail.

Authorities said Decero had a blood-alcohol concentration greater than the legal threshold of 0.08 early Sunday when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a wooded area along Spring Road, south of 31st Street in Oak Brook.

Decero’s 48-year-old passenger, Thomas Fitzsimons of Hinsdale, was pronounced dead at the scene. Prosecutors said both men had been wearing seat belts and were still inside the vehicle when police responded to a neighbor’s 911 call shortly after midnight.

Decero was treated for injuries and taken into custody upon his release from a hospital Monday. He faces up to 14 years in prison if convicted.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin offered his condolences to the victim’s family and said the case was a reminder of the dangers of drinking
and driving. ….MORE

Sun-Times: Dead man was lawyer