Crime & Safety

Police Charge Man in Connection with March 24 Fatal Accident

Lake Zurich Police have charged a man with reckless homicide for a March 24 crash that killed a Lake Barrington woman.

A Cullom man was arrested May 12 in connection with a fatal crash that occurred March 24 in Lake Zurich.

Lake Zurich Police arrested Thomas G. Murphy, 40, of 208 E. Jackson St., Cullom, IL, and charged him with: three counts of reckless homicide, a Class 3 felony; four counts of aggravated driving under the influence of drugs, a Class 2 felony; and aggravated driving with an amount of a drug, a Class 2 felony, said Cmdr. Kevin Finlon, police department spokesman.

Police were called to Route 12 and Honey Lake Road at 2:50 p.m. March 24 in regard to a three-car accident. That crash subsequently resulted in the death of Katharine Walker-Hoffman, 56, of Lake Barrington. Two other individuals were transported to local hospitals for treatment of injuries.

On May 12, the Lake County State's Attorney's Office approved the charges against Murphy and issued a warrant. Murphy was taken into custody at his Cullom residence on May 12 by members of the Lake Zurich Police Department. Murphy was then transported to the police department to await a May 13 bond hearing. Judge George Strickland set Murphy's bond at $1 million, Finlon said.

"The Lake Zurich Police Department is committed to protecting the users of all village roadways by fully investigating all traffic crashes and enforcing all traffic laws," Finlon said. "Motorists found to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be arrested and held accountable for their actions."


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