DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Lombard Chief of Police Roy Newton announced today that charges have been filed against a Bolingbrook man accused of causing a head-on crash that resulted in the death of Dulce Olivia Avila-Adame. A Felony Complaint filed on June 22, 2020, alleges one count of Reckless Homicide against Richard Kennedy, 54 (d.o.b. 2/20/1966) of 616 Rockhurst Road. On June 24, 2020, Judge Brian Telander issued a $50,000 with 10% to apply arrest warrant for Kennedy, who is currently receiving treatment for injuries he sustained in the crash. Additionally, Kennedy has also been charged with Misdemeanor Speeding and Driving Too Fast For Conditions.
According to the complaint, it is alleged that on June 22, 2020, at approximately 5:38 p.m., Kennedy was driving his vehicle on Route 53 in Lombard in excess of the speed limit on a wet roadway when he crossed over solid lane markings into oncoming traffic and crashed head-on into a vehicle driven by Avila-Adame, causing her death. Following the crash, Kennedy was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries. He has remained in the hospital since that time.
“It is alleged that Mr. Kennedy’s reckless actions caused a head-on collision that took the life of Dulce Olivia Avila-Adame,” Berlin said. “I would like to take this opportunity to remind the motoring public to please be careful, be patient and obey all rules of the road when driving. I offer my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Dulce as they grieve their loss. I would like to thank the Lombard Police Department as well as Assistant State’s Attorney Bethany Jackson for their fine work on this tragic case.”
“This was an extremely sad event that did not have to happen,” Newton said. “I urge all drivers to use caution while driving. I too, would like to express my condolences to Dulce’s loved ones on their loss.”
Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.