Crime & Safety

Naperville Man Charged in Deadly Highway Crash

William A. Howe, who remains in the hospital, has been charged with reckless homicide in the deaths of two Elmhurst residents.

A Naperville man who allegedly drove his car at a high rate of speed into oncoming traffic on Interstate 88, , has been charged with two counts of reckless homicide, a Class 3 Felony.

At 6:28 p.m. Aug. 6, 43, of Naperville, reportedly was driving his Porsche erratically on eastbound I-88. Witnesses say they saw him out of the window as he drove.

He then allegedly crossed over the center divide of the highway and began traveling eastbound on the south shoulder of westbound I-88 at a high rate of speed. Police report he then turned his vehicle into oncoming traffic.

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Killed were Sher Ali Shalwani, 75, and his daughter, Farzana Ali, 38, both of Elmhurst. Shalwani was declared dead at the scene and Ali died at a hospital shortly after. A third member of the family, the driver, was seriously injured.

Howe was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, where he remains. Howe has a criminal record that includes .

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A Class 3 Felony is punishable by two to five years in prison.

“On Aug. 6, through no fault of their own, Sher Ali Shalwani, and Farzana Ali lost their lives in a terrible car crash,” said DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin Monday. “If these allegations are proven true, Mr. Howe is responsible for this senseless loss of life and will be held accountable. 

"I would like to thank members of the Illinois State Police, particularly Trooper Nate Macklin and Master Sergeant Tim Zych, for their fine work on this case as well as Assistant State’s Attorney Anne Therieau for her efforts.”

A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.


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