A Cook County grand jury today indicted Brookfield resident Thomas J. Postulka, 45, charging him with reckless homicide and multiple counts of aggravated driving under the influence for the hit-and-run death of Helen Lilly.
Postulka has been in Cook County Jail, held on $1 million bond, since allegedly running down the 83-year-old Lilly and her 88-year-old husband, Francis, as they were crossing the 4000 block of Prairie Avenue in Brookfield on the evening of Jan. 22.
Helen Lilly was killed in the accident. Francis Lilly was hospitalized with serious injuries. The Lillys, both longtime Brookfield residents, were crossing Prairie Avenue in the middle of the block on their way to a church service when Postulka reportedly slammed into them. According to police, he attempted to flee the scene, but was corralled by an off-duty Chicago police officer who happened to be following Postulka and witnessed the incident.
North Riverside police subsequently confirmed that Postulka had been arrested for driving under the influence in that village on Jan. 20. According to that report, Postulka lost control of his vehicle while turning south on First Avenue from Cermak Road, plowing into a street light.
According to Andy Conklin, spokesman for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, the grand jury unsealed a nine-count indictment that included one charge of reckless homicide, two for aggravated DUI resulting in death and six for aggravated DUI resulting in bodily harm.
If convicted, Postulka faces between three and 14 years in prison, Conklin said.
Brookfield police has originally charged Postulka with two counts of aggravated DUI. Those charges have been superseded by today’s indictment. Postulka’s arraignment is scheduled for April 4 in Room 103 at Cook County Circuit Court’s 4th District courthouse in Maywood.