A man accused of barreling a Chevy Equinox into a five-star Mag Mile hotel at nearly 85 mph, killing his back-seat passenger, has been ordered detained on felony charges.
John Walker, 40, was arrested this week after Chicago police determined he sped through red lights and stop signs across Streeterville in the early morning hours of April 19, ending in a crash that left 40-year-old Emmanuel Carter dead.
Surveillance video captured Walker climbing behind the wheel of the SUV around 2:36 a.m. in the 300 block of West Chicago Avenue, a CPD report said.
Additional cameras allegedly recorded him blowing through traffic signals and stop signs in the 200 block of West Superior Street, the 100 block of West Superior, then in the first block of West Superior and the 100 block of East Superior.
After failing to make that final stop, Walker’s SUV slid sideways through the intersection of Rush and Superior before launching onto the north sidewalk and crashing into the Peninsula Hotel, 108 East Superior Street, according to the report.
The impact was so violent, investigators wrote, that the vehicle “became vertical and horizontal” before landing on its roof. Walker was partially ejected through the front windshield. Carter, who was riding in the back seat, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators determined Walker’s blood alcohol concentration was .07, and his SUV was traveling 85 mph just five seconds before impact, the CPD report said.
Illinois’ legal limit for blood alcohol concentration is .08, but prosecutors can charge adult drivers with DUI at .05 or higher if there is evidence of impairment. That can include excessive speeding, swerving, running lights, or being involved in a crash.
Judge James Costello ordered Walker detained pending trial. He is charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI causing death.
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