July crash killed Watseka man and injured 6-year-old

The 17-year-old Iroquois County juvenile involved in a fatal crash in July that killed a Watseka man will not face a drunk driving charge.

Toxicology reports confirm the 17-year-old driver was not under the influence of
alcohol or drugs when his car was involved in a rural crash that left 59-year-old Dave Senesac dead. Senesac's 6-year-old grandson was critically injured and continues to undergo extensive rehabilitation.

Iroquois County State's Attorney Jim Devine said the 17-year-old boy will only be charged with traffic offenses, including disobeying a stop sign and failure to yield.

Devine confirmed the toxicology results, by the Illinois State Police crime lab and another private company, that "there was no evidence of alcohol or any illegal substances in the boy's system."

Iroquois County Sheriff's police investigated the accident northwest of Watseka at 1600 E and 1900 N Roads. Police were unable to complete a field sobriety test at the scene because the juvenile was injured and transported to an area hospital. Hospital personnel completed a blood draw. Those toxicology results were returned last week.

Sheriff's police charged the juvenile with drunk driving. Devine said his office elected to hold off on filing charges until the toxicology tests were completed.

Devine said the 17-year-old is cleared of criminal charges, but his family still faces two civil lawsuits from Senesac's family for wrongful death.

The 6-year-old passenger in Senesac's pickup truck suffered extensive life-threatening injuries, which are may have lifelong consequences. Two lawsuits on file seek unspecified damages for providing for the medical care of the boy and the care of Senesac's widow, Terecia Senesac, of Watseka.

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