Driver in Fatal Dec. 1 Crash Was Almost 3x Legal Limit

The driver of a car stolen in Wheaton that then plowed head-on into a vehicle in Campton Hills on Dec. 1, killing a Maple Park man, had a blood-alcohol content that was nearly three times greater than the limit for driving under the influence, authorities said Friday.

The toxicology report on Jennifer Liston, 30, of Madison, Wis., showed she had a blood-alcohol level of .229, well above the .08 legal limit, as well as other controlled substances in her system, the Campton Hills Police Department said in a release.

“Though Liston’s blood-alcohol content was not ruled the cause of death, I can, with a reasonable amount of surety, say that it was a major contributing factor in the cause of the accident,” said Chief Dan Hoffman.

The Kane County Coroner’s Office ruled the death accidental, due to severe chest and abdominal injury due to blunt force trauma as a consequence of a motor vehicle collision, the release states.

The release identified Liston as the at-fault driver in the high-speed, head-on crash, which occurred about 8:45 p.m. Dec. 1 on Route 38. Liston’s vehicle collided with one being driven by Zachary Bingham, of Maple Park, who died of his injuries, as did his dog. The crash also severely injured his girlfriend, Erin Pazin, 19, of Elburn, who was riding with him. Liston’s vehicle then struck another vehicle, which was pushed into a fourth vehicle. Two other people were also injured as a result of the accident.

Liston was driving a 2003 Nissan Altima that had been reported stolen earlier that day in Wheaton and was involved in a less serious crash in Geneva, shortly before the Campton Hills wreck. A sheriff’s deputy tried to stop Liston, but called off the pursuit when Liston fled at a high rate of speed.

Witnesses told authorities that, in the moments leading up to the crash, they saw Liston driving recklessly on Route 38 at speeds of more than 100 mph.

Related:

• Dec. 2, 2012: 2 Dead, 2 Injured in Campton Hills Crash Involving Stolen Vehicle
• Dec. 4, 2012:
• Dec. 4, 2012: Experts: Anger Is a Natural Response to Tragedy Like Recent Fatal Crash
• Dec. 4, 2012: Grief Process Is as Unique as the Individual

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