Verdict Near In Truck Driver's Trial

The trial of a Chicago man charged with reckless homicide in a 2003 crash could end with a verdict today in Kosciusko Superior Court I.

Tadeusz Dylak, 57, of Chicago, was driving a semi-tractor-trailer when he allegedly ran a red light at the U.S. 30 and Center Street intersection in Warsaw and struck a vehicle driven by Douglas Raber.

According to police reports, Raber was turning left from Center Street onto U.S. 30 westbound when his vehicle was struck in the driver's side by an eastbound semi tractor/trailer driven by Dylak.

Raber suffered multiple injuries and was airlifted to Parkview Hospital from the scene of the May 13, 2003, accident. Raber, who was unconscious at the scene of the accident, was trapped in his pickup until rescue workers were able to free him.

Raber, who was 50 at the time of his death, was pronounced dead at 11:30 a.m. May 19, 2003, at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, after being taken off life support.

The impact of the crash pushed Raber's vehicle into the driver's side of an SUV driven by Carol Forester, 54, of Lexington, Ky. Police said Forester was crossing U.S. 30 on Center Street at the time of the collision. Forester complained of an elbow injury, and a passenger in Forester's SUV, Elizabeth Tinney, 73, of Valley Bend, W.Va., complained of leg pain. Both refused medical attention at the scene.

Witnesses to the accident told police that Dylak disregarded the red traffic signal for traffic on U.S. 30. An accident report noted Dylak was cited for disregarding an automatic signal.

According to police and witness reports, Dylak nearly hit at least two other cars. After inspecting the tractor-trailer, a state trooper found nine transportation department violations, three of which would have designated Dylak "out of service."

A crash reconstructionist reported Dylak entered the intersection eight to 10 seconds after the light had turned red, and approximately 15 seconds after it was yellow.

Dylak was charged with reckless homicide, a Class C felony, and faces a $10,000 fine and eight years in prison if he is found guilty. He is represented by Mark Caruso, public defender.

The trial began Tuesday and a verdict is expected sometime today.