Authorities say a Northbrook man was drunk, high and going more than 120 miles an hour when he slammed into another vehicle in Glenview last weekend, killing a Glenbrook South High School senior shortly before prom and graduation.
Taeyoung Kim, 21, faces reckless homicide and aggravated DUI charges among a litany of other felony counts stemming from the May 12 crash that left 17-year-old Marko Niketic dead and two others critically injured, according to Glenview police and Cook County court records.
Dashcam video from Kim’s Ford Mustang showed him speeding down Chicago streets and a highway at more than 130 mph before making his way to Glenview with a passenger in tow, authorities said in court filings.
Shortly after 11 p.m., Kim’s headlights were off, and he was going more than 120 mph in a 35-mph zone when he collided with a vehicle driven by Marko Niketic near East Lake Avenue and Meadow Lane, authorities said.
Niketic, a Glenview resident, was dead at the scene.
The girl riding with him was hospitalized in critical condition, as was Kim’s passenger, who later confirmed to police that Kim was behind the wheel of the speeding Mustang, court records show. Two other witnesses also identified him, authorities said.
Kim’s blood-alcohol level was measured at 0.088 percent, above the legal standard for driving drunk, records show. He’s also charged with driving under the influence of drugs.
Kim, who suffered a broken femur and concussion, had a court hearing Saturday, the day of Glenbrook South High School’s prom.
Judge David Kelly said Kim “weaponized his vehicle causing death and injuries” and ordered him detained ahead of trial.
Alongside Kim’s parents after his hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, defense attorney James Hyun told reporters “they feel very horrible about this incident. They’re sick. They’re shell-shocked. Their condolences, as well as Mr. Kim’s condolences, go out to all the victims.”
Niketic, who had been set to graduate next month, was a “great dancer” involved with the Serbian dance group at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, according to the Rev. Dobrivoje Milunovic. He described Niketic’s death as “a huge loss to the entire Serbian Orthodox community.”
“He was a very kind, generous, supportive, family-oriented young boy,” Milunovic said, adding the community lost a “good man who had a bright future ahead of him.”
Niketic helped out with his father’s plumbing business, was interested in the stock market and hoped to eventually own a business, Milunovic said.
“We will remember him,” Milunovic said. “He will remain in our prayers, in our thoughts, in our hearts and in our souls.”
Contributing: Daily Herald
