Illinois

Suspect in Fatal Beecher Crash Pleads Not Guilty to Reckless Homicide

Sean B. Woulfe was charged with 16 counts of reckless homicide, including two counts of reckless homicide of an unborn child Tuesday

The defendant in a fatal Beecher crash that claimed the lives of a pregnant mother and her three children was brought into a Will County courtroom Wednesday morning in a wheelchair. He entered a not guilty plea to more than a dozen counts of reckless homicide.

Police and prosecutors say 25-year-old Sean Woulfe was speeding in unincorporated Beecher a month ago when he ran a stop sign and collided with Lindsey Schmidt's car--killing her and her children. They were heading to bible school.

Tuesday the state's attorney praised the way the children's father has handled the tragedy.

"He's a God fearing man and he has taken this as stoically as I imagine any father could do and he deserves credit for that," Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow said.

Schmidt's family members were not in court Wednesday, but the day before, a cousin told NBC 5 that while the charges against Wolfe won't bring Lindsey in the boys back, "justice must be served."

"We hope that this will open peoples eyes to be careful when driving," cousin Brent Riechers said. "Slow down, turn off your phones, be present."

Woulfe is now being held in the Will County Jail in lieu of $1 million and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

He's due back in court Friday.

Contact Us