16 years old and drunk at 4:00 in the afternoon?? They should throw the book at him. As if the heartbreak of losing their daughter wasn't enough, now the family has to go through a trial and relive the worst moment of their lives. No pity for the driver here.

My thoughts exactly, Deb.

Hope they can charge him as an adult.

John, I agree 110% If he wants to drink like an adult, he should face the same consequences. Sadly, CBS is reporting that although both charges are felonies, he's being charged as a juvenile. Not right at all.

How come it took 3 months to come up with the charges ? They couln't tell he was drunk on the scene or what ? I hope they are not messing up the case with flaws and grey area's or loopholes . Defence lawyers love loopholes to get them off easy.

I'm hoping the delay was because of waiting for lab results and the DA's office to decide on the charges. And just a heads up, it's my understanding that with the zero tolerance law, even if a minor is not legally drunk (.08 or higher), he/she can still be charged with DUI if the arresting officer thinks he is impaired. Since there was never a mention of alcohol until now, I'm assuming they had to wait for the tests to come back.

I am glad they are charging him! They never mentioned alcohol when the incidet happened orginally. There is absolutely no reason why this teen should not be tried as an adult. It's about time people accepted the consequences for their actions. It's just sad that a 4 year old had to lose her life to teach this boy this particular lesson. Hopefully she didn't die in vain, and he will receive the maximum sentence. This should be a lesson to all the teens out there who think it could never happen to them, and all the parents who don't think it's important to watch their kids when they're outside playing.

Kinda aggravating when different sources report different results. Now I'm reading that the kid, who was finally named, was not drunk but had marijuana in his system, was charged as an adult and bail was set at $250K

Ya I agree deb he was charged with DUI because he had marijuana in his system NOT DRUNK OR DRINKING OR ALCLOHOL! He wasn't drunk! He is still at fault for doing marijuana though I just wanted to clear it cuase the story was updated that he was charged with DUI for marijuana.

I've been following the updates from various sources, and honestly, they can make you nuts. One says drunk, one say marijuana, one says his name is DeAndre, another says Andrew..........jeez Speeding (est 36-44mph) in a school zone. Unless of course someone says something else. Either way, he was under the influence and killed a little girl. Sad and I hope he pays dearly for his stupidity

Tbone, I do understand that DUI does not always mean someone was drunk. That happened to be the first report I read. They stated flat out he was drunk. Maybe they need to either verify their info or learn the difference. Not that it mattered in the outcome.

he wasnt drunk or high at the time nd plus he was goin 5 under there was nothing he could of done to prevented what happened the only reason he was getting charged but the state nd not by the parents is because he is like a typical teen that smokes pot every now and then

Tyler, per the Trib, "Tests found Wolfe had the compound THC in his blood at the time of the crash and an accident reconstruction found that he was traveling between 36 and 44 mph in a 20 mph school zone, said Andy Conklin, a spokesman for the Cook County state’s attorney’s office." And honestly, we live 1/2 block from the accident site on a corner lot on 175th. Have been here for 25+ years. If you think your friend was doing 5 under the speed limit, you're smoking the same stuff he was. Other than a funeral procession, I can't recall ever seeing a car under the speed limit on 175th. With the high school down the street, it's more like a drag strip most days.

One more thing Tyler, witnesses state the girl was knocked out of her shoes and thrown quite a ways from the point of impact and suffered serious head trauma. Seriously doubt a car going only 15mph would do that. Not saying impossible, but highly unlikely. And whether he was high or had the junk in his system from a day or so before, under 21 it's ZERO tolerance. If you're gonna play, you gotta pay.

I agree tyler because he has pot in his system dosent mean he was high when the accident happened because that usually goes back at least twenty days and if he was high on the spot then they would of known they are just digging deeper and deeper to find something to charge him with. Although that still discussed me because pot has now ruined his life and that was just a a stupid mistake on his part.

But that I very true also deb I do belting that he was traveling fast we forsure know that!

The PD clocks cars on 175th on a fairly regular basis. They can't be everywhere at once and people know it and will continue to speed. Just bad all the way around. A 4 year old dead and a 17 year old facing felony charges. There are no winners here, just a lot of heartache for 2 families.

And one other thing too if the grandpa was unable to watch and supervise a 4 year old who was playing so close to 175th street then he either shouldn't be watching her or there should be another able person watching the child with him!

Glad someone had the gumption to say what I've been thinking since the accident happened.

That is my defense for the drivers a 4 year old girl shouldn't be running and playing by the street!!! Especially 175th!!

It is sad that the little girl died, but had she been properly supervised, this never would have happened. I really don't believe they should be going after this young man as they are. I understand that he had THC in his system, but he could have smoked some pot a month ago. He wasn't intoxicated at the time. This is probably caused from the family putting pressure on the police because they feel guilty and need to blame someone. It's just a shame all the way around.
Anyone that smokes pot better be careful, for that matter I imagine any substance. If they find "trace" amounts of it in your system, they are charging you with a DUI.

We surely don't know if Bella would have run in the street if her parents were right by her side...it's instinctive for children to chase after balls without thinking. Certainly the parents realize this and don't need to be reminded in an open forum, people! Think about how you'd feel if you read these comments. Regarding use of drugs by this young man...it is WRONG and we all know it. ( Well, maybe not Tbone!) Doesn't matter if it was that afternoon or a month ago. It's illegal. If a teen wants to be a responsible driver, then act responsibly and expect consequences if you break the law. You're right, Deb...no winners just a lot of heartbreak.

He was not accused of having alcohol in his system, but marijuana. I'm close friends with cousins of the family and heard a couple nights ago from the girl's uncle right after they received the news from the investigators. After reviewing the scene, they're also saying that he had 150 feet to stop when she went into the street.

If the family of both the victim and the defendant read theese they would feel embarrassed because MATTER WHAT ANYBODY SAY OR TRIES TO CHANGE THE STORY AROUND, THEY ARE ALL WRONG: the drier for smoking pot, the family for not having a better babysitter! So yes they are all at fault!

How tragic for everyone involved .A 16 year old makes a life changing mistake and a 4 year old loses her life.I can't tell you how many times I have seen supposedly sober people ignoring school speed zones ,flying past children .There is a definite disregard for safety for many drivers,they just don't think that something could or will go wrong.

I recently buried a child and understand the pain that the parents are enduring right now, I had time to prepare for my child's death however because it was Cancer that took my son from me not the horrible mistake of a teenager. I do however have teenagers who go to Tinley Park High School and understand the pressures of being a teenager these days. Ironically the day that precious Bella was taken from this Earth I was at the high school dropping off something for my son and remember driving down 175th street in the early afternoon. I drove past Bella's house and saw her getting off of the bus. My first instinct was the little boy in the yard playing while grandpa was sitting on his walker. I remember thinking that i hoped the little boy did not run into the street and wondering if they would be able to catch him if he did, I never imagined that hours later I would hear it was the little girl that ran into the street. I found it strange that I even noticed the kids but I feel I notice kids more often since losing my own child. The situation is heart breaking on all ends, it is heartbreaking that a mother needs to cry herself to sleep at night because of the ache of losing a child and it is also heartbreaking that a young teen is out there and regretting the decisions he made and could possible be crying himself to sleep at night as well, who knows what demons haunt him in his sleep.

Annette, first our deepest condolences on the loss of your son. As a mother and grandmother, I can't even begin to fathom the pain and heartache of losing a child. The very thought gives me chills. What bothers me in cases like this is that alcohol and or drugs played a part, if even a minor one. The dangers of both have been known for literally decades. It's not like it's a breaking news story. Same goes for zero tolerance. It's been around for years and these kids know it. At 16, he was just out of drivers ed where he was again told of the consequences. Yet this young man decided to use drugs anyway. He decided to take the risk, and got caught at the worst possible time. But again, it was HIS choice and he has to pay for the gamble he took. I just cannot have sympathy for someone like that.

FWIW, people keep mentioning speeding in a school zone. The limit drops to 20 in a school zone on school days when children are present. This happened on May 9 at 4 p.m. The Motor Vehicle Code of the Illinois Compiled Statutes says "a school day shall begin at seven ante meridian and shall conclude at four post meridian."

Ted, that is a fancy way for saying 7am to 4pm .The article says about 4pm. What does the police report actually say?What was the posted speed limit outside the school zone time ?Was the driver over that speed limit?

I don't think he'll be driving anywhere for a while. Per the IL Sec of State:
Under Illinois' "Use It & Lose It" zero tolerance law, drivers under 21 who are caught with any trace of alcohol in their systems will lose their driving privileges. They can also be charged with DUI if they have any trace of other drugs or have a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .08 or above, or in excess of .05 with additional evidence proving impairment. Under 21 DUI Penalties: Any person under age 21 who receives court supervision for the transfer, possession, and consumption of alcoholic liquor will have their driving privileges suspended. First Offense Loss of driving privileges for a minimum of 2 years. Since he's charged with aggravated DUI, which I believe entails great bodily harm or death, not sure if the minimum penalty is more severe for someone under 21

DeAndre is a really good friend of mine, and it really sucks to see this happening to him because he had marijuana in his system. He told me he wasn't high at the time, but I'm not sure if he really wasn't or not. It just sucks these things happens, and I wish the best for both families.

Kyle, like I said earlier, there are no winners in this, just a lot of heart ache for both families. While DeAndre may not have been high at the time of the accident, he still had marijuana in his system. Zero tolerance laws have been in place since about the time he was born. He knew the risks he was taking if he ever got caught. He just happened to get caught at the worst possible time for him. So now there is one family mourning the loss of their 4 year old daughter and another family wondering if their son will go to jail for who knows how long. The only hope is that others your age (?) will learn that maybe smoking pot is not worth the risk if you get caught. I'm pretty sure DeAndre has a totally different perspective on using right now.

There is a good chance the kid might not even have been high at that excag moment. Marijuana stays in your system for month or so, if you're a habitual user, and the authorities use that fact to say that it can retroactivate at any moment and you become high again. Which is obviously wrong. Keep in mind, this could all be a truly misfortunate circumstance. Don't hang this kid before you know all the facts. I want to know why the parents negligence isn't being put to question. Four year olds running across the street doesn't seem like the most responsible action I've heard of in a while. A horrendous accident, but with no understanding and openness this will never be resolved the way it could to truly bring closure to the families involved.

what ever happened to him?

why is he sitting at home?

ok but has he not gone to trial yet?

No, hasn't gone to trial yet Case is still new.

This isn't TV. Trials don't happen in an hour. And he could be found not guilty, too, or if a jury trial, it could be hung.

Its our legal system at its best...leaving both families in limbo!_