Wisconsin Motorcyclist Dies in DUI-Related Crash

A memorial service was planned for Thursday for a McHenry County man who died after his motorcycle collided with a vehicle whose driver was under the influence of alcohol, according to an article in the Chicago Tribune.

“Steven Thomas, 26, of Richmond, died Aug. 11 after his organs were harvested for donation,” his mother, Becky Thomas said in the article. “The man who authorities said collided with Thomas’ motorcycle on Aug. 10 — Christian Heaney, 44, of Johnsburg — was initially charged with aggravated DUI causing injury and released from custody after posting bond. But after Thomas died, authorities increased the charge to aggravated DUI causing death, and Heaney appeared in court on the new charge on Tuesday.”

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Heaney was reportedly driving a 2014 Range Rover southbound on U.S. Highway 12 in Richmond, near the Wisconsin state line, when he crashed into Thomas and his motorcycle, according to court documents. Thomas was pronounced dead at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.

“With the enhanced charge against Heaney, his bond was increased tenfold, to $250,000. In McHenry County court Tuesday, Heaney’s lawyer, Mark Facchini, sought to have his client’s bond lowered to $100,000, saying Heaney was not a threat to the public,” the article reads. “That was denied, but hours after the hearing, Heaney posted the required $25,000 and was released.”

Thomas graduated from Richmond-Burton High School in 2008 and worked on farms in the rural community both before and since he graduated.  He was employed by Geils Farms in Harvard for the last four years.

“He was a very hard worker, but he loved what he was doing,” Becky Thomas said.

Thomas also participated in football and weightlifting at Richmond-Burton and was a fan of county fairs, tractor pulls and bowling.

“He’d help anybody and everybody,” his mother said — and noted that, even in death, he was still helping others through the donation of his organs.”

Thomas is also survived by his father Ted and sister Samantha. A visitation and funeral for Thomas was held on Thursday at Ehorn-Adams Funeral Home.