MAN TO FACE CHARGES IN 27 YEAR-OLD RECKLESS HOMICIDE

WHEATON – DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced today that Roger Walburg, 51 (d.o.b. 11/18/1956) has been returned to Illinois to face Reckless Homicide charges stemming from a 1980 crash involving an automobile and a commuter train.  The crash claimed the lives of three men: Guy Noel, 25, of Villa Park; William Sukup, 27, of Elmhurst; and Bradley Smith, 26 of Elmhurst.

On June 6, 1980, a southbound automobile, allegedly driven by the defendant, went around the crossing gates at railroad tracks in Villa Park.  The Defendant allegedly fled the scene of the crash and was apprehended later that day.  Walberg was indicted on October 27, 1981, after a lengthy investigation by the Villa Park Police Department, including Detective Norman Hall, now a Deputy Chief of Investigations at the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.  On July 22, 1982 however, Walberg failed to show for a scheduled court date. 

Last week authorities apprehended Walburg in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and transported him to the DuPage County Jail on October 9, 2008.

            Walberg appeared in Bond Court this morning before Judge Brian Diamond, who ordered that he be held on the previously set bail of $1 Million (full cash), which applies to the misdemeanor charge of Violation of Bail Bond.  He later appeared before Judge John Kinsella on the Reckless Homicide case.  Walburg’s next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14, 2008, in courtroom 4004 before Judge Perry Thompson