Subaru struck near Butterfield Road in Lombard, police said
May 10, 2026 | Lombard, IL
What happened in the crash?
Laura O’Keefe, 35, died after a suspected drunken driver crashed into her Subaru on South Highland Avenue in Lombard.
A 35-year-old woman died after a suspected drunken driver struck her vehicle at an intersection near a shopping plaza.
- Date and time: May 10 at about 5:24 p.m.
- Location: 2780 South Highland Avenue, just north of Butterfield Road
- Victim: Laura O’Keefe, driver of a Subaru
- Suspect: Dwayne Rushing, 48, charged with two felony counts of aggravated DUI
- Injuries: O’Keefe suffered traumatic brain injuries and was removed from life support, a passenger sustained serious injuries
Police said Rushing rear-ended a Toyota, drove around it across a grass parkway, and hit O’Keefe’s Subaru while she waited to turn right from the plaza exit.
Why do these accidents happen?
Impaired driving continues to claim lives on Illinois roads. Lack of judgment, reduced vision, poor coordination, and slow reaction times all contribute when alcohol is involved.
| Statistic | Source | Details |
|---|
| 294 fatalities | CDC | Alcohol-related crashes in Illinois (2023) |
| 21,975 arrests | Illinois Secretary of State | DUI arrests recorded statewide (2023) |
| Major factors | Federal Highway Administration | Impaired judgment and delayed reactions |
Legal Insights
National legal analysts discussed civil options available after serious motor vehicle incidents.
Separate from criminal charges, a victim’s family may be entitled to compensation through a civil lawsuit against the responsible party. An attorney can help guide grieving families during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights while ensuring that drivers are held accountable for their actions.
— Candice Bond, managing partner of Bond Legal
We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their best interests are taken care of.
— Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal
Key takeaways:
- Families may pursue claims for loss of companionship and emotional distress
- Legal representation can monitor investigations and protect rights
- Civil actions focus on accountability beyond criminal proceedings
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).
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