On January 14th, 2006, then 19 year old Kori Bauchman was driving her Hyundai Accent with brothers Aaron, 21, and DJ, 15, as passengers.
Winnebago County Sheriff Deputy Joseph “Kyle” Boomer was driving a squad car with fellow deputy Patrick Hastings in the passenger seat.
The Deputy duo got call of an aggravated battery and Boomer sped down W. State Street reaching a speed of over 100 MPH.
He did not activate the siren or lights on the squad car.
Boomer’s squad car crashed into the Bauchman’s Hyundai Accent in the intersection of W. State Street and Weldon Road. The two brothers, Aaron and DJ, were killed as a result of the crash. Kori was suffered permanent mental and physical injuries due to the crash.
Criminal charges were brought against Boomer in 2008. He was acquitted after a jury trial. During the time charges were pending, 40 weeks, Boomer was on paid administrative leave. After the criminal trial, the Bauchman family sued the county for the killing of their two sons, injuries to Kori, caused by the recklessness of Boomer.
The lawsuit ended with the family getting $17 million from Winnebago County.
Five years after the crash, in 2011, Boomer was suspended for 180 non consecutive days without pay for his role in the fatal crash.
Boomer is currently one of the highest paid Winnebago County employees as he holds the rank of Winnebago County Sheriff Deputy Chief.