A Northbrook man faces multiple charges after allegedly driving nearly 90 mph above the posted speed limit while under the influence of alcohol and drugs, resulting in a deadly crash that killed 17-year-old Marko Niketic. The crash occurred late Sunday night in Glenview, highlighting a tragic event that has shaken the community.
Incident Details
The fatal crash happened just before 11:10 p.m. on East Lake Avenue in Glenview. Niketic, a senior at Glenbrook South High School, was driving with his 16-year-old girlfriend when their car was struck by Taeyoung Kim, 21, who was driving at an excessive speed. Prosecutors stated that Kim hit Niketic’s car as he was turning left from Meadow Lane onto East Lake Avenue. The impact was so violent that it split Niketic’s car in half, sending part of the vehicle into the road and the other part crashing through a fence into a nearby backyard.
Injuries and Medical Details
Marko Niketic was pronounced dead at the scene. His girlfriend sustained severe injuries, including a fractured pelvis, a brain hematoma, and a subarachnoid hemorrhage. She was hospitalized for five days. The passenger in Kim’s car suffered a fractured back and a severed artery, while Kim himself sustained a fractured femur and appeared in court in a wheelchair.
Court Hearing and Evidence
During the court hearing, Kim vomited multiple times, which his attorney attributed to heavy medication. Prosecutors presented evidence, including dash camera footage from Kim’s Mustang, which captured events leading up to the crash. Earlier in the evening, the dash camera showed Kim driving at high speeds through downtown Chicago, running a red light, and eventually reaching Lake Avenue in Glenview. Moments before the crash, the Mustang’s speed reached 131 mph, and it was traveling at 122 mph at the time of impact. The speed limit in the area is 35 mph.
Witness Accounts and Additional Findings
Witnesses confirmed seeing Kim in the driver’s seat after the crash. Kim admitted to one witness that he had been drinking. A blood test revealed a blood alcohol level of 0.088 and the presence of cannabis in his system. Police also found drug paraphernalia in Kim’s car, including a bong, rolling papers, and cannabis residue.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Kim faces numerous charges, including aggravated driving under the influence causing death, reckless homicide, aggravated driving under the influence causing great bodily harm, and several other related offenses. Judge David Kelly noted Kim’s actions showed a “brazen disregard for human life” and ordered him to be held in custody. Kim’s attorney, James Hyun, argued that Kim had no prior criminal history and was a full-time student at the University of Illinois studying archaeology.
Community and Family Reactions
The families of both Marko Niketic and his girlfriend were present in court, visibly affected by the emotional proceedings. Kim’s parents expressed their deep remorse and offered condolences through their attorney. Kim’s father, a commercial truck driver, mentioned having spoken to his son about safe driving on the night of the crash and expressed his own feelings of guilt and sorrow.
“This is obviously very tragic times for everybody in the community,” said Hyun. The next court date is set for May 24, as the legal process continues.
