Arrest made in alcohol-related crash that led to death of Taylorville teen         

[June 25, 2007]  SPRINGFIELD -- A Stonington teenager has been charged with reckless homicide, aggravated DUI, reckless driving and several other traffic violations in reference to a crash that occurred on June 3. Samuel R. Fortner, age 19, was the driver in the single-vehicle crash that occurred at 3:15 a.m. on Illinois Route 48 in Christian County.

The crash has resulted in the death of Kaitlyn C. Miles, age 17, of Taylorville.

Fortner was driving a black 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt with Miles as his passenger. The vehicle was traveling southbound on Route 48, one-fourth mile north of Glenhill Road, when it traveled off the roadway onto the right shoulder. Fortner overcorrected the vehicle, causing it to suddenly travel into the northbound lane. The vehicle rotated several times and overturned in the west ditch.

Both occupants were ejected from the vehicle.

Fortner admitted consuming alcoholic beverages and driving the vehicle. A witness to the crash indicated that the vehicle was driving without headlights and at a high rate of speed prior to the crash. Alcoholic beverages were found in the vehicle.

Fortner and Miles were not wearing seat belts. The occupants were transported to St. Johns Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The Christian County state's attorney's office filed the charges, and the Illinois State Police placed Fortner under arrest on Friday. He is being held at the Christian County Jail on $100,000 bond.

The public is reminded that anyone is presumed innocent until charges are proven in a court of law.

[Information compiled from Illinois State Police reports; LDN]