Crime & Safety

Lemont Man Guilty of DUI Homicide in Head-on Crash

Joseph Hayes, 44, awaits his sentencing June 1.

A Lemont man faces up to 16 years in prison with 10 years of parole, after being found guilty of killing a Wisconsin man in a head-on collision in September 2013. 

Joseph Hayes, 44, pleaded no contest to a felony charge of homicide by operation of a vehicle while intoxicated and was found guilty by a Marinette County, Wis., court April 3. Hayes also pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor count of causing injury while operating under the influence.

In exchange for his pleas of no contest, Marinette County District Attorney Allen Brey dismissed one felony count of homicide by vehicle while operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration and one misdemeanor count of causing injury while operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration, Iron Mountain Daily News reports. 

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The crash occurred  Sept. 27, 2013 in Pound, Wis. Hayes was traveling south in the northbound lane of U.S. 141 when he struck a vehicle operated by 21-year-old Kristian Reed of Niagara, Wis., according to the report.

Reed died from injuries sustained in the head-on collision. Hayes' then also struck another vehicle operated by 36-year-old Elvis Tucek of Homer Glen, Ill.

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Both Tucek and Hayes sustained non-incapacitating injuries in the crash, according to the report.

Hayes will remain in jail until his sentencing June 4. 


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