States Attorney
NAPERVILLE MAN GETS EIGHT YEARS
IN DRUNK DRIVING FATALITY
WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joseph E. Birkett announced today that James E. Healy 43 (d.o.b. 8/9/1963), of 1133 E. Royal St. George, Naperville, was sentenced today to eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for a November 2005 drunk driving accident that claimed the life of Kenneth Kaply. In his ruling, Judge Perry Thompson also ordered Healy to pay restitution to the victim’s family.
The sentence stems from allegations that on November 10, 2005, at approximately 10:30 a.m., Healy rear ended a vehicle driven by Kaply on Ogden Avenue near River Road in Naperville. At the time of the accident, Healy was charged with Felony DUI. Approximately one week later however, Kenneth Kaply died as a result of injuries he sustained in the accident. Upon the passing of Mr. Kaply, the charges against Healy were upgraded to Aggravated DUI Causing Death of Another.
“On November 10 2005, one man’s life was taken from him and another man’s life was changed forever,” remarked Birkett. “James Healy alone bears the responsibility for what happened that day. His decision to get behind the wheel of his car after he had been drinking cost an innocent man, Kenneth Kaply, his life. That decision also cost Mr. Healy eight years of his life, a life he will have to live knowing he alone is responsible for the death of Kenneth Kaply.”
State’s Attorney Birkett praised the members of the Naperville Police Department as well as the efforts of Assistant State’s Attorney Richard Russo for their efforts in the investigation of this matter.
Healy will have to serve 85% of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
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