4-Year-Old Killed in Crash, Mother Charged with DUI

Jonathan Bahena, a 4-year-old child, was killed on Sunday after his mother Laticia Medel crashed into two cars. Leticia Medel, 24, has been charged with felony aggravated DUI resulting in an accident and bodily harm, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving 15 to 20 mph over the speed limit, failure to reduce speed, driving without a license, transporting an open container of alcohol, failure to properly restrain a child in her car and driving without insurance. Her alcohol level was allegedly .151, almost twice the legal limit of .08, and officers found two beer cans in her car.

Medel’s 2-year-old child and husband also in the car were injured as well. Medel was traveling east on the 4500 block of West Fullerton when she allegedly ran through a red light and struck the rear of a Honda Civic which propelled into another vehicle. Medel’s vehicle then crossed into the next lane of traffic hitting a Chevrolet Tahoe. Witnesses stated Medel took her two children and attempted to flee from the scene. Both children were rushed to Children’s Memorial Hospital, where Jonathan was pronounced dead. He suffered a lacerated liver and multiple contusions.

Medel was ordered held in lieu of $350,000 bail.

Women charged with felony DUI in crash that killed 4-year-old, www.suntimes.com, August 17, 2010