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Crime & Safety

Police Still Investigating Vehicle from Fatal DUI Crash Near Palos

Cook County judge denies a request from the attorney of Matthew Senica, who has been indicted for aggravated DUI and reckless homicide, to return personal property found in the vehicle until the investigation is complete.

An insurance company can assess the damage to a vehicle involved in the DUI accident , but the return of personal belongings of the Orland Park man charged with reckless homicide in connection with the crash will have to wait, a Cook County judge said Tuesday morning.

Matthew Senica, 25, of the 13700 Block of 88th Ave. was also indicted Tuesday on 14 counts of aggravated DUI and one count of reckless homicide in Judge Peter Felice's Bridgeview courtroom. He remains in custody . 

Authorities say on July 8, Senica was driving back to Orland Park from what Senica told police was a night of drinking in Chicago. He was heading south on LaGrange Road, and drove through the red light at the intersection with 95th Street, according to police. Heidi Roseen, 51, on her way to Advocate Christ Medical Center from her Lockport home, was reportedly struck by Senica's Ford F150 and was later declared dead by fellow staff at Christ.

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In court Tuesday morning, Judge Peter Felice denied a request from Senica's attorney that personal property in the vehicle be returned to Senica's parents, unless it was an emergency. Senica's attorney admitted it was not an emergency.

Assistant State's Attorney Amari Dawson told Felice that she didn't believe investigators were done processing the car.

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However, Felice will allow represenatives from Senica's insurance company to review the vehicle as long as they don't interfere with the investigation and the review is at a convenient time for police, the judge said.

Senica is scheduled to be back in court on Aug. 16. Cook County State's Attorney's Office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton said the case has been assigned to trial judge Noreen Daly.

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