Man Pleads Guilty in Fatal Plainfield Crash

A Shorewood man pleaded guilty this week in a Plainfield DUI crash that killed a motorcyclist.

David C. Dietrich, 33, admitted Tuesday to aggravated DUI in the death of George Weikum, 58, a Naperville resident and Plainfield business owner.

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Weikum died on Oct. 8, 2011, when Dietrich lost control of his pickup truck , crossed the center line and struck Weikum, who was riding his Harley-Davidson north on Route 59 between 135th Street and 143rd Street, police said.

READ: MAN DEAD FOLLOWING ROUTE 59 CRASH

On Tuesday, Dietrich appeared in Will County court to enter a guilty plea, admitting he was drunk when he struck the Naperville husband and father. He faces three to 14 years in prison for the crime.

According to prosecutors, Dietrich had been drinking at a golf outing fundraiser at Tamarack Golf Club in Naperville for a youth baseball league prior to the Plainfield crash.

Earlier this month, Weikum’s wife and daughter filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Dietrich, along with the Victory Baseball 9U Victory Gold team and Tamarack Golf Club.

Following the 2011 crash, Dietrich was treated for injuries at Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center before being arrested and charged with aggravated DUI, improper lane use, driving too fast for conditions and operating an uninsured vehicle. 

The Weikum family’s lawsuit seeks $50,000 on each count plus legal fees.

READ: FAMILY FILES SUIT IN FATAL PLAINFIELD CRASH

Dietrich, who is still being held at the Will County jail in lieu of $25,000 bail, is due back in court for sentencing on Dec. 21.

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