A 35 year-old woman was driving her passenger vehicle on Mother’s Day, and waiting to pull out of a shopping center driveway just west of Yorktown Mall, when she was killed by an alleged DUI driver traveling southbound on Highland Avenue in Lombard.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Lombard Chief of Police Joe Grage announced Wednesday, May 13, 2026 that Judge Joshua Dieden has granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for a South Elgin male suspect accused of causing a fatal crash while intoxicated, killing thirty-five-year-old Laura O’Keefe and seriously injuring a passenger in her vehicle. Dwayne Rushing, age 48, appeared at First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Aggravated DUI Causing Death (Class 2 Felony) and one count of Aggravated DUI Great Bodily Harm (Class 4 Felony).
Lombard police officers, firefighters and paramedics responded about 5:24 p.m. Sunday (Mother’s Day), May 10, 2026 to a report of a multi-vehicle crash at 2780 S. Highland Avenue, just north of Butterfield Road. Upon their arrival at the scene, police officers found the front end of a gray 2021 Volvo crashed into the driver’s side of a black 2026 Subaru Outback. Both vehicles had sustained substantial damage, and the occupants of both the Volvo and Subaru were transported to a local hospital by fire department paramedics. Laura O’Keefe suffered traumatic brain injuries and required emergency surgery, which was followed by life support in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Laura O’Keefe was pronounced deceased on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
O’Keefe’s passenger suffered serious injuries and was also admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.
Following an investigation into the crash, it is alleged that Rushing was driving the Volvo southbound on Highland Avenue when he rear-ended a Toyota, then drove around the Toyota, drove over a grass parkway, and crashed into the Subaru. Laura O’Keefe was driving the Subaru, and was stopped at an exit from a shopping plaza while waiting to turn right onto Highland Avenue. When police officers spoke with Rushing at the scene, they detected a strong odor of alcohol emitting from him and observed him to be unsteady on his feet. Dwayne Rushing also allegedly had mumbled speech and glassy, bloodshot eyes. When police officers searched Rushing’s vehicle, they recovered an open BuzzBallz alcoholic beverage from the driver’s seat. Rushing’s BAC was allegedly 0.116.
“Like all alleged DUI cases, the case against Mr. Rushing was 100% avoidable. What I find particularly egregious are the allegations that Mr. Rushing was driving drunk on Mother’s Day near the Yorktown Mall at dinner time where hundreds, if not thousands, of people were celebrating the holiday together. As I have said many times before, if you have been drinking, do not get behind the wheel of a car. Call a friend, a cab or use a ride sharing service to make sure you and your passengers get to your destination safely. I offer my sincerest condolences to Laura’s family and friends and wish them strength as they adjust to their new reality of life without the love and support Laura once offered and I wish the passenger in Laura’s car a full and speedy recovery and strength as she contends with the physical and psychological damage this incident has caused her. I thank the Lombard Police Department for their work on this tragic case and for their continued efforts in keeping our roads safe, as well as the DuPage MERIT Major Crash Reconstruction Team, for their thorough investigation. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorney Anthony Raimondi and Louisa Nuckolls for their work in securing charges against Mr. Rushing.”
— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin
“Every death caused by impaired driving is a needless tragedy. These crashes are entirely preventable, yet they continue to take the lives of innocent people, devastate families, and permanently impact entire communities. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families as they navigate the aftermath. I want to recognize the work of Lombard Police Department officers, detectives, and the DuPage MERIT Major Crash Reconstruction Team, all of whose professionalism and dedication helped ensure a thorough investigation on behalf of the victims and this community. I’d also like to thank State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and his office for their assistance with this case.”
— Lombard Chief of Police Joe Grage
Rushing’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 8, 2026, in front of Judge Mia McPherson.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. 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.
— DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office
A celebration of life for Laura O’Keefe is being scheduled for the afternoon of May 23, 2026; details will be forthcoming at Laura Marie O’Keefe Obituary/Ahlgrim Funderal Home, Elmhurst.
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