Man pleads not guilty in fatal crash
A Warren Township man charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and marijuana in a fatal crash pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lake County Circuit Court.
Adam Burkhardt, 22, faces a prison sentence of up to 14 years if convicted of aggravated driving under the influence and reckless homicide.
Assistant State's Attorney Fred Day said Burkhardt, of the 16000 block of Mulberry Lane, was at the wheel of a 2000 Chevrolet Sliverado pickup around 2:30 a.m. on May 23. The truck left the road at a high rate of speed near the intersection of LeBaron and Washington streets in Waukegan and crashed into a parked semitrailer.
The lone passenger in the truck, Andrew Gallo, 22, of Northbrook, died in the crash. Burkhardt was taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge for treatment for facial injuries.
Blood tests revealed he had a blood-alcohol content of .124 percent and marijuana in his system, Day said.
Circuit Judge John Phillips scheduled a trial of the case for Sept. 28 and ordered Burkhardt to appear in court Sept. 18.