MAN PLEADS GUILTY 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) entered a plea of guilty to 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, driven by Walburg, went around the crossing gates at railroad tracks in Villa Park.  Walburg, who fled the scene of the crash and was apprehended later that day, was indicted on Reckless Homicide charges on October 27, 1981.  On July 22, 1982 however, Walberg failed to show for a scheduled court date. 
     Norman Hall, who currently serves as Deputy Chief of Investigations for Birkett's Office was one of the Villa Park Detectives assigned to the case.  After several years, the case went cold.  Hall, who never forgot about the three victims however, took it upon himself to periodically run Walburg's name through the system.  His persistence paid off and on October 10, 2008, Walburg was brought back to DuPage County to face the allegations against him.
      "For more than twenty-five years Norm Hall held out hope for justice for Walburg's victims; Guy Noel, William Sukup and Bradley Smith," commented Birkett.  "It is because of his persistence and dedication Mr. Walburg will now be held accountable.  Norm never gave up on justice for those men.  Hopefully, with today's plea, the victims' surviving family members will feel some measure of closure on this terrible chapter in their lives."
     Walburg's sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 8, 2009 in front of Judge Perry Thompson.
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