An Oak Lawn man is facing driving under the influence charges in connection with a car crash that killed two people, officials said.
Bail was set Wednesday at $500,000 for 23-year-old Stephen Rodriguez, who appeared in Bridgeview court on four counts of felony aggravated DUI.
Prosecutors allege Rodriguez lost control of his car early Monday in Palos Township in a crash that killed Reginald Leslie, 28, and Piotr Przeslica, 22.
After allegedly drinking at a bar in Oak Brook Terrace, the three men were traveling at about 12:48 a.m. on 107th Avenue near 104th Avenue in Palos Township when the car spun into oncoming traffic, prosecutors said. Rodriguez allegedly told police after the crash that he had blacked out, prosecutors said.
The car struck a tree stump and went airborne, prosecutors said. Leslie, of Evergreen Park, was ejected and became pinned under the car, later dying from his injuries, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors allege the car’s black box indicted it was traveling 94 mph just prior to the crash.
Przeslica, of Hickory Hills, was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was declared dead, prosecutors said.
Rodriguez allegedly admitted to police that he had been drinking that night, prosecutors said. A test allegedly indicated he had a blood alcohol level of 0.163, twice the legal limit.
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He also has a prior conviction from 2014 for misdemeanor DUI, prosecutors said.
If convicted, Rodriguez faces a sentence of 6-28 years in prison, prosecutors said.
He is scheduled to return to court May 25.
Nick Swedberg is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.