DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Lisle Chief of Police Ron Wilke announced today, Monday, November 29, 2021, that bond has been set for a male resident of Naperville accused of causing a crash that killed three individuals last October. Brendan Wydajewski, 22 (d.o.b. 9/30/1999) appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh set bond at $500,000 with 10% to apply. Wydajewski has been charged with three counts of Aggravated DUI Causing Death, a Class 2 Felony. He has also been charged with Misdemeanors of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Transportation or Possession of Open Alcohol by a Driver.
On Saturday, October 30, 2021, at approximately 1:18 a.m., Lisle police officers responded to a call of a crash at the intersection of Warrenville Road and Corporate West Drive. Upon their arrival, officers observed two vehicles, one of which was cut in half, with the driver’s side of the vehicle located in the road and the other half located off the road to the north. Officers found one person inside the vehicle who was identified as Andrew Purtill, 46. Mr. Purtill was pronounced deceased at the scene. In the second vehicle, allegedly driven by Wydajewski, officers found two individuals, Graciela Leanos, 21 and Geovanny Alvarez, 22. Alvarez was pronounced deceased at the scene. Leanos was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased later that evening. Wydajewski was found on the ground near the driver’s side of his vehicle seriously injured. He was transported to a local hospital for medical attention and was released on November 28, 2021. Officers also allegedly found two handguns located in the vehicle driven by Wydajewski. Allegedly Wydajewski was driving his vehicle at approximately 122 mph westbound on Warrenville Road when he crashed into a vehicle driven by Mr. Purtill. It is further alleged Wydajewski’s BAC was .147 when taken at the hospital.
“Like all alleged DUI cases, the case against Mr. Wydajewski was 100% avoidable. As I have said countless times in the past, if you have been drinking, do not drive. This is particularly relevant now, as we begin the holiday season. It is a very simple idea but unfortunately, in far too many instances, people feel they are able to drive when they are not, and tragedy follows as alleged in this case. Don’t allow yourself to become a statistic. Do yourself a favor and call a cab or use a ride-sharing service if you have been drinking. I would like to thank the Lisle Police Department as well as the MERIT Major Crash Reconstruction Team for their efforts in this case. I would also like to thank Assistant State’s Attorney Nick Catizone for his work in securing a strong prosecution against this defendant.”
— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin
“Reckless and dangerous driving have taken far too many lives in DuPage County and continue to put law abiding citizens at riskLaw enforcement remains steadfast in seeking justice for those impacted by these reckless acts and urges people to consider these traumatic impacts prior to driving while intoxicated and at excessive speeds. The Lisle Police Department would like to thank the MERIT Major Crash Reconstruction Team and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office for their collaboration in this investigation.”
— Lisle Chief of Police Ron Wilke
Wydajewski’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 11, 2022, in front of Judge O’Hallaren Walsh.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is 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 his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^
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