Crime & Safety

Local Man Charged in Fatal Accident Returns to Court Later This Month

Jay Cox, 35, of Bolingbrook, has been charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol in the accident that killed Efren Garcia, 30, of Bolingbrook.

The man charged with aggravated drunken driving and improper lane use in a was in court this week for a status hearing.

Jay Cox, 35, 251 Meadowbrook Drive, is being in Will County Jail.

In court this week, Cox withdrew his motion for substitution of judge, Will County State’s Attorney spokesman Chuck Pelkie said.

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Cox is due back in court April 25 for a pretrial hearing. He faces if convicted.

Police said the Jeep that Cox was driving Feb. 17 collided with a Nissan driven by Efren Garcia, 30, at around 11 p.m. at the intersection of Rockhurst Road and Monterey Drive.

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Garcia, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was attempting to turn onto Monterey when he was struck. The Jeep SUV then rolled over and came to rest on its roof, police said.

Police said Garcia was pinned in his car and pronounced dead at the scene.

Cox was taken to , where he was treated and released.

A blog has been set up in Garcia’s honor, and his wife, Stephanie, is participating in the Mothers Against Drunk Driving walk Sunday, June 3, in Homer Glen. A website is taking donations to support her fundraising efforts.

The Bolingbrook Fury 12U travel program, of which Garcia’s daughter is a part, established a fund in his honor at the in Bolingbrook under the title "Efren Garcia Memorial Fund."


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