Victim's Family Watches As Reckless Homicide Case Drags On
It's been three years since an Orland Park man was charged with reckless homicide in a DUI accident that killed Jessica Mejia, a 20-year-old New Lenox woman.
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Another New Year's Day has come and gone, marking three years since the death of 20-year-old Jessica Mejia in a DUI-related car accident.
Nicholas Sord, 25, has been charged with reckless homicide in the incident and is out on bond. He was offered a plea deal, which was subsequently turned down.
A hearing on Jan. 11 was supposed to include arguments on motions about evidence in the case, but a new date in February was chosen instead.
Sord didn't speak during the brief hearing. His attorney Jeff Aprati said the prosecution will be filing the motions but wasn't able to elaborate on what they may include.
Police said Sord was close to three times over the blood-alcohol limit on New Year’s Day 2010 when he lost control of his SUV near 147th Street and Oak Park Avenue, killing 20-year-old Jessica Mejia of New Lenox, a Lincoln Way-Central High School graduate. The defense claims that Mejia caused the accident.
For Mejia's family, the wheels of justice have been turning slowly, apparent in the latest hearing that has been continued for another three weeks.
Mejia's mother, Christina Mejia, has been at every hearing with other family members and her fiance. Mejia's father, Luis Mejia, doesn't get to the hearings as often due to his work schedule but expressed his frustration with the proceedings after court Friday.
"You don't want to say the justice system isn't fair," Luis Mejia told Patch, "but it's just so hard, the extent of this case dragging out is just so much harder. Just prolonging everything. It's a hard thing for everybody."
Luis Mejia said the case "has been devastating" and "a piece of me goes away every time I have to come to the courtroom."
Sord is scheduled to be back in a Markham courtroom before Judge Frank Zelezinski on Feb. 1.
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frank
10:22 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
It's good to go back to the other articles and comments related to this case.
The common sense public has to continue to endure these lawyer related continuances because it is the law. (KUSTOK also?)
What about swift and timely justice?
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Steve
10:22 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
The "Justice System" how can you use the word "Justice"? Two years? A young woman is dead from the use of alcohol, this is why people have no fear of driving after drinking.
Angryparent
10:22 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
I hope the Sord family keeps on closing up charley horses and that his son is locked up for a very long time. This guy needs to be brought down. I wish he could just sit at 26th and California.
Barb
9:21 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
Christina ...I think about you and Jessica every day! My prayers are with you.
Jason
10:26 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
If they don't give this guy at least 15-290 years it will be a damn shame. It's clearly an aggravated DUI case and typicaly first-time DUI cases regarding a death receive anywhere from 10-20 years.
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=3809913
Cat
3:24 pm on Saturday, January 12, 2013
@realitybites. We're you there?
Marian Cunningham
10:19 am on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Why in the world did she get in the car with him if he was that drunk?? Young people sometimes make some very poor decisions.
Jason
10:19 am on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Q
Jason
10:19 am on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Quite doubtful pulling the steering wheel.
Jason
10:19 am on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Anyone pull behavioral or history of medication? Hospitalization records? Psychiatric visits to hospitals? Inpatient or outpatient programs perhaps?
She seem level headed and was a college student @ UIC. How about the driver's work, education history? Any prior arrests? I know he worked at a bar in his father's restaurant. Was he a college graduate, college student?
Kind of seems like night and day if you ask me. Good girl chasing the bad boy type of situations...
JCM
5:07 pm on Saturday, March 2, 2013
Prior DUI : Jessica Yes, Nick No,
Jessicas Friend Jennesa that was in car earlier Yes.
Just because your a student at UIC Really doesnt matter. Let the courts handle this, Its a tragedy all the way around. Besides both families involved,explain how anyone else should matter. If your really that interested maybe some charity work involving drunk driving, or something else productive would help all of you to move on.I hope everyone with hateful comments never has to go through what these families are. Think about it all you perfect people.
Bob Laird
10:19 am on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
driver, survivor, and family want it over. victim's family want it over. scummy lawyers want it to go on for another couple hundred thou.
Kevin
10:19 am on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Death rides with those who drink and drive..... :(