Homer Glen man sentenced to 12 years for fatal DUI crash on I-55

WHEATON, Ill. - A Homer Glen man was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to a 2020 fatal DUI crash on Interstate 55.

Robert Ebel, 55, was the driver of a 2015 Tesla traveling on I-55 south of Cass Avenue in Darien at a high rate of speed on Aug. 22, 2020, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. As he approached a semi-truck, he tried to pass the truck on the right shoulder of the road and crashed into a disabled Toyota.

John Exner, 51, was inside the Toyota and was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for a collapsed lung, internal bleeding, and a spleen injury. He later died.

Authorities said Ebel had amphetamine, cocaine metabolite, cocaine, and THC in his system at the time of the crash.

Last April, he pleaded guilty to aggravated DUI.

"Mr. Ebel’s incredibly dangerous behavior that afternoon, cost John Exner his life," said DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin in a statement. "While a twelve-year sentence will never replace the love and support John once provided to his friends and family, perhaps knowing that the man responsible for his death will be held responsible, will help them gain some measure of closure in this horrible chapter in their lives."

Ebel will have to serve at least 85% of his sentence before being eligible for parole. He will receive credit for the 958 days for which he was already held in custody.