A judge sentenced an Island Lake man, who is a retired police officer, to five years in prison after he drove drunk and caused a crash that killed a 37-year-old man who was riding a motorcycle in McHenry.
Steven W. Foulk, 71, of Island Lake, was charged in July 2021 with multiple counts of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, two counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
The charges stem from a vehicle crash that occurred around 2:06 a.m. on July 15, 2021, involving Foulk’s gold 2011 Toyota Camry and a gray 2018 Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
The crash happened at Route 120 and Chapel Hill Road, according to then-McHenry Police Department Public Affairs Officer Michael Spohn.
An investigation showed the Harley-Davidson motorcycle was facing southbound on Chapel Hill Road stopped at the intersection in the center lane.
A Toyota Camry, driven by Foulk, traveled southbound on Chapel Hill Road and struck the motorcycle from behind, Spohn said.
The motorcyclist was ejected from the motorcycle into the front of Foulk’s vehicle.
The driver of the Harley-Davidson, Kenneth Jackson, 37, of Antioch, was transported by paramedics to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry with life-threatening injuries.
McHenry County Coroner Michael Rein said Jackson died at the hospital later in the day.
Both drivers were the sole occupants of their vehicles.
Foulk, who was uninjured in the crash, was arrested at the scene after police determined he was found to be driving under the influence of alcohol.
Prosecutors said Foulk’s blood alcohol content was 0.159 — nearly twice the legal limit — three hours after the crash.
Investigators also determined that Foulk was speeding at the time of impact.
Foulk was transported to the McHenry Police Department where he was processed and later transported to the McHenry County Jail and released on bond.
According to the Chicago FOP, Foulk retired from the Chicago Police Department as a police officer in May 2010 after working for the department for 24 years.
Court records show Foulk pleaded guilty in February to one count of aggravated driving under the influence causing a crash involving death, a Class 2 felony, before McHenry County Judge Mark Gerhardt.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office said following the court hearing that they recognize that those who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs “continue to destroy the lives of so many families in our community.”
“This senseless and tragic death was entirely preventable. The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office continues to remain committed to the prosecution of all those that drive under the influence and seek justice for the victims and their families,” the office said in a statement.
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese said she recognizes the “diligent efforts” of members of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and McHenry Police Department for their investigation into the “tragic traffic crash.”
Gerhardt sentenced Foulk to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on Monday during a sentencing hearing.
Foulk will be required to serve the sentence at 85% in accordance with truth-in-sentencing guidelines and will not be required to report for prison until August 1.