Laura O'Keefe Killed in Lombard DUI Accident
South Elgin man charged with aggravated DUI following Mother's Day collision
Laura O'Keefe, 35, was killed and a passenger was seriously injured in a suspected drunk-driving crash on South Highland Avenue near Butterfield Road in Lombard, Illinois, on May 10, according to police.
Dwayne Rushing, 48, of South Elgin, was arrested and charged with aggravated DUI causing death and great bodily harm. A DuPage County judge ordered him detained pretrial following the Mother's Day collision.
The southbound 2021 Volvo driven by Rushing rear-ended a Toyota, drove around it over a grass parkway, and slammed into the driver's side of a 2026 Subaru Outback waiting to exit a shopping plaza. O'Keefe, who was driving the Subaru, suffered traumatic brain injuries and died two days later after being placed on life support.
A passenger in the Subaru was admitted to an intensive care unit with serious injuries.
Officers reported the at-fault driver had a blood alcohol content of 0.116 and an open alcoholic beverage in his vehicle.
The DuPage MERIT Major Crash Reconstruction Team is assisting with the ongoing investigation.
The sudden loss of a loved one to an impaired driver leaves families grappling with immense grief and a complex legal aftermath. While criminal charges address the state's case against the at-fault driver, civil avenues exist to support the victims.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, said, "A death caused by a drunk driver is a preventable tragedy that leaves lasting pain. Even at the legal limit, a driver’s reaction time slows and their ability to notice what’s happening around them is reduced."
An attorney coordinates with experts on cellphone records and roadway lighting reviews to build strong cases that help affected families pursue accountability and secure resources amid the challenges of wrongful death proceedings.
Why did the Volvo leave the road on South Highland Avenue?
Investigators are examining the sequence of events that led the vehicle over the grass parkway. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 13,524 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers in 2022, accounting for 32% of all traffic-related deaths nationwide.
What are the legal options for the victims' families?
As the DuPage MERIT Major Crash Reconstruction Team continues its work, the family of the deceased and the injured passenger face mounting medical bills and emotional distress.
"We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their best interests are taken care of," explained Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.
If your loved one has been killed in a DUI accident, please contact our National Legal Analyst Bond of Bond Legal today for a no-cost analytical consultation.
Illinois wrongful death statute
Under 740 ILCS 180, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Illinois applies modified comparative fault (50% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of society, and grief.