Bail Set at $1 Million For Trucker in I-55 Wreck That Killed 4

JOLIET — The Indiana truck driver accused of speeding into stopped traffic in an Interstate 55 construction zone—crashing his rig and killing four—appeared before a Will County judge Tuesday who set bail at $1 million.

Francisco Espinal-Quiroz, 51, faces two felony counts for log book violations. Will County Assistant State's Attorney Jim Long asked Judge Carmen Goodman for a high bail as the criminal investigation continues and could lead to charges of reckless homicide.

Reckless homicide involving more than one death in a construction zone carries a sentence of up to 28 years in prison, said Charles B. Pelkie, spokesman for the state's attorney's office.

Long also told the judge that Espinal-Quiroz has a driver's license restriction involving a vision disability. There was no indication the driver applied his brakes, Pelkie said.

"Illinois State Police are looking into that as are we and how that would play into the case," he said.

The dead include Kimberly K. Britton, 43, and Piper Britton, 11, of Urbana; Vicky L. Palacios, 54, of Coal City; and Ulrike P. Blopleh, 48, of Channahon.

Blopleh was a front-seat passenger in a Chevy van when the accident occurred at about 2:16 p.m. near Arsenal Road in the northbound lanes, reports the Joliet Herald-News. The woman's eldest daughter was driving and two sons sat in the van's rear passenger seats. The family was returning home from a blueberry-picking trip, reports the Chicago Tribune.

One son was flown to a hospital and in intensive care, but he's recovering well today.

Friends gathered at the Blopleh family home in Channahon.

"They were very much struggling early this morning," Steve Flynn told the Herald-News. "The family are members of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. Members of the Wilmington congregation and some from Shorewood have been coming to offer their support."

Blopleh — known as "Supermon" to family and friends — had been married for 21 years and came to the United States from Germany.

“She built her kids the tree house in the back," Flynn told the Tribune. "She built the chicken coop just recently so the kids now are  raising chickens. She was always doing something, building something, taking her newfound skills and fixing things.”

The wreckage was so severe that several of the vehicles involved were unrecognizable.

"As the 12-year-old described it, he said, 'Dad we had a car in the van,'" Flynn told NBC Chicago.

The mother and daughter from Urbana, Kim Britton and Piper, were vacationing in Chicago. Britton was a longtime employee at the University of Illinois in Champaign in the administration office. 

"Kim was one of my stand-out employees. She was both skilled in what she did and was an excellent people person," Gloria Keeley told ABC 7 Chicago.

Espinal-Quiroz falsified and failed to maintain records, according to authorities. Espinal-Quiroz "stated that he started his day at 6 a.m. when in reality he started at about 2:30 a.m.," Pelkie said.

The State Police said Espinal-Quiroz underwent mandatory blood and urine testing for drugs and alcohol Monday.

At a press conference Monday night, Illinois State Police Cmdr. Randy Ness said Espinal-Quiroz was driving in excess of 55 mph when he abruptly changed lanes, hitting a passenger vehicle that caused a chain reaction of crashes.

The log book charges carry a sentence of one to three years in prison, with the possibility of probation.

"He's got a host of traffic violations, as well," Pelkie said.

Those back to 1991 in numerous states, including Florida, Missouri, Texas and Indiana. Among the 12 violations, three were for speeding. Espinal-Quiroz is a U.S. citizen but a native of Honduras.