South Elgin Man Charged In Fatal Mother’s Day DUI Crash Near Yorktown Center

LOMBARD, IL — A South Elgin man accused of causing a fatal DUI crash near Yorktown Center on Mother’s Day has been ordered held in custody pending trial, DuPage County prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Dwayne Rushing, 48, is charged with one count of aggravated DUI causing death and one count of aggravated DUI causing great bodily harm in connection with the crash that killed 35-year-old Laura O’Keefe and seriously injured a passenger in her vehicle, according to a news release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

According to authorities, Lombard police responded at around 5:20 p.m. on Sunday to a report of a multi-vehicle crash near 2780 S. Highland Ave., just north of Butterfield Road.

Police said officers arrived to find a gray 2021 Volvo with heavy front-end damage crashed into the driver’s side of a black 2026 Subaru Outback. Both drivers and passengers were transported to local hospitals, according to a news release.

O’Keefe suffered traumatic brain injuries and was placed on life support following emergency surgery before she died on Tuesday, prosecutors said. A passenger in her vehicle suffered serious injuries and was admitted to the intensive care unit.

Authorities allege Rushing was driving southbound on Highland Avenue when he rear-ended a Toyota, drove around the vehicle, crossed a grass parkway and struck the Subaru, which was waiting to turn right onto Highland from a shopping plaza exit. Authorities later identified O'Keefe as the driver in the Subaru.

According to prosecutors, officers at the scene observed signs of intoxication, including a strong odor of alcohol, glassy and bloodshot eyes, mumbled speech and unsteady balance.

Authorities further allege Rushing’s blood alcohol concentration measured 0.116 — which is over the legal limit of .08 — and that officers recovered an open BuzzBallz alcoholic beverage from the driver’s seat of the Volvo, according to the news release.

Rushing’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 8 before Judge Mia McPherson.