Enterprise Staff
A Plainfield man was charged with reckless homicide in connection with an alleged street racing incident that occurred Dec. 4 and resulted in the death of an Aurora man, according to the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Jeffrey A. Bledsoe, 20, of the 25000 block of Pastoral Drive, was charged March 8 with nine counts of reckless homicide. Prosecutors said Bledsoe’s conduct while driving caused a crash that resulted in the death of 49-year-old Charles Siebel. Bledsoe also was charged with two counts of aggravated street racing, one count of aggravated speeding and one count of reckless driving.
Each count of reckless homicide alleges specific acts of reckless conduct that caused another vehicle to crash into Siebel’s Toyota Highlander, according to the state’s attorney. Those acts include engaging in street racing, various speeding allegations and failing to drive in a single lane. Siebel’s 15-year-old daughter also was injured in the crash. Bledsoe was driving a Pontiac Grand Prix.
Bledsoe initially had been charged with a series of traffic violations. The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office was awaiting the completion of the police investigation, which included results from an accident reconstruction investigation, before upgrading the charges to felonies. The charges were filed in court March 8 when Bledsoe appeared on the traffic violations. He is scheduled to appear in court on the felony charges March 23.
Prosecutors said the charges filed against Bledsoe allege that his actions caused another vehicle, a Dodge Charger, to strike the Toyota Highlander.
The driver of the Charger, a 16-year-old male, is facing one count of reckless homicide and two counts of aggravated street racing in Will County Juvenile Court. He is scheduled to appear in court next at 9 a.m. April 22.
Reckless homicide is a Class 3 felony that carries a penalty of 2 to 5 years in prison if convicted. Aggravated street racing is a Class 4 felony that carries a penalty of 1 to 12 years in prison. Aggravated speeding and reckless driving are Class A misdemeanors.