Man charged in fatal DUI crash in Matteson pleads not guilty

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Wayne G. Heidegger / photo from Cook County Sheriff's office

Updated: January 30, 2012 10:33AM

A man accused of consuming at least 12 drinks before rear-ending a vehicle and killing a 24-year-old woman last month pleaded not guilty Wednesday.

Wayne G. Heidegger, 49, of 5825 W. 108th Place in Chicago Ridge, is charged with aggravated DUI involving a death, police said. He also was cited for speeding, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, and being above a .08 blood-alcohol content, police said.

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Darren Bowden on Nov. 14 set Heidegger’s bail at $500,000. On Wednesday, Heidegger pleaded not guilty, and a status hearing was set for Jan. 27, Cook County State’s Attorney’s office spokesman Andy Conklin said.

Police said Stephanie Fisher, 24, died Nov. 7 after her car caught fire when Heidegger’s vehicle rear-ended it at about 4 a.m. at the intersection of Vollmer Road and Cicero Avenue in Matteson. She was on her way to Old Navy in Orland Park when the accident occurred, her family said.

Prosecutors said Heidegger’s blood-alcohol content was .256 — more than three times the legal limit.

Heidegger had at least 12 alcoholic drinks, including beer and Bloody Marys, at a VFW the night before the crash, prosecutors said. He then drove to Club O in Harvey, where he drank more, court records show.

After leaving the strip club, Heidegger was driving westbound on Vollmer Road toward the intersection at Cicero Avenue when he struck the tail end of Fisher’s car, court records said. Upon impact, the car erupted into flames. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Heidegger then swerved into the opposite lane of traffic, almost hitting a different car. He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. Matteson Deputy Police Chief Ken Arvin said Heidegger suffered a broken neck in the crash but later was released to police custody.