A Peoria man who is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol in a collision that resulted in the deaths of a couple riding a motorbike was indicted by a grand jury in Peoria County on Tuesday.
Jeffrey Kallister, age 29, resides at North Overtone Street. He is currently facing two counts of reckless homicide and two counts of aggravated driving while under the influence of alcohol. The allegations of aggravated driving under the influence are the most severe, and they carry a potential jail sentence of up to 28 years.
Those who are found guilty of reckless homicide face a jail sentence that can run anywhere from two to five years. Additionally, probation may be granted for both crimes.
In the early morning hours of August 7, Michael “Korey” Korenchuk, 40, and Rachel Korenchuk, 30, both of 1010 Nassau Drive, were killed after their motorcycle was struck by a vehicle while they were stopped at a stoplight.
It was approximately 1:55 in the morning when the Korenchuks were struck by a vehicle while they were riding a motorcycle in the northbound lane of Sheridan Road. They were stopped at a red light at the intersection of Sheridan and Glen Avenue, according to the police.
According to the prosecution, it was immediately after the light turned green that Kallister’s vehicle collided with the motorcycle from behind, causing the motorcycle to collide with the vehicle in front of it.
At 2:20 in the morning, it was determined that Korey Korenchuk, who was driving, had passed away at the scene. Rachel Korenchuk arrived at OSF Saint Francis Medical Centre, but she passed away during the operation that she underwent there. Both Korenchuks was not wearing helmets at the time.
According to the authorities, Kallister ran away, but he was taken into custody shortly after that at Proctor Hospital. He is scheduled to make his next appearance in court on Thursday for his arraignment.
Jeffrey Kallister Still Behind Bars for Killing Korey and Rachel Korenchuck
According to official records, the victims of killings committed by drunk drivers were themselves under the influence of alcohol and tested positive for cocaine.
A video of the motorcycle that was severed Jeff Kallister fled the scene of the accident after it occurred accidentally collided with another truck, which was also being driven by an intoxicated driver.
As reported by the Journal Star
Those who were close to Korey and Rachel Korenchuk will remember them as a couple who were enthusiastic about their two young kids, Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and photography.
Michael “Korey” Korenchuk, 40, and Rachel Korenchuk, 30, both of 1010 Nassau Drive, were killed early on Sunday morning after their motorcycle was struck at a stop signal by a driver who is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol.
In the afternoon on Sunday, Hilary Korenchuk, Korey’s mother, expressed her sentiments by saying, “They were such a beautiful couple that was very much in love.” “Every time I said hello or goodbye, my son would always kiss me. He never failed to tell his mother, “I love you.”
At around 1:55 in the morning, the Korenchuks were riding a motorbike in the northbound lane of Sheridan Road. They had stopped at a red light at the junction of Sheridan and Glen Avenue when the collision took place.
Currently serving as the marketing manager of S&K Buick is Jeff Kallister.
Does S&K really have the financial means to have its employees driving around and killing potential customers? Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a choice, not an accident. When driving under the influence of alcohol, it is extremely likely that you may hit someone.
The Vehicular Homicide Case: The Story That Demands Our Attention
Drunk Driving in the U.S. – Key Facts
Fatalities by Year
- In 2023, approximately 12,429 people died in crashes involving drivers with BAC ≥ 0.08—roughly 30% of all traffic fatalities.
- Over the 10-year span from 2014 to 2023, the annual average was about 11,000 deaths each year.
- In 2022, there were 13,524 alcohol-impaired crash deaths (32% of all crash deaths); this marked a 0.7% decrease from 2021.
- For 2021, 13,384 fatalities were reported—an increase of about 14% from 2020—and amounted to 31% of traffic deaths.
Frequency & Impact
- A death occurred every 39–45 minutes in crashes involving alcohol impairment.
- Every day, around 37 people die in drunk-driving crashes.
Impact on Children
- In 2022, 25% of children (≤14 years) killed in vehicle crashes were victims of alcohol-impaired drivers.
- In 2020, 229 children (21% of youth motor vehicle deaths) died in alcohol-related crashes .
Demographics & Trends
- Young adults aged 21–24 have the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers among fatalities.
- The majority of drivers involved in fatal BAC ≥ 0.08 crashes are male (≈4 men per woman) .
- Drivers with BAC ≥ 0.08 in fatal crashes are 6× more likely to have prior DWI convictions than sober drivers.
Economic Costs
- In 2020, impaired-driving incidents cost the U.S. an estimated $123.3 billion, covering medical expenses and lost lives.
- In 2019, the annual estimated cost was about $68.9 billion.
Vehicle-Related Homicide (Murder by Car)
- Fatal crashes rose overall: 42,514 deaths in 2022 (12.8 per 100k population) up from 42,795 in 2022.
- However, these figures include all vehicular homicides—intentional or negligent—not solely DUI-related murders.
- Vehicular homicide stats specifically for DUI are less centralized, but many alcohol-related fatal crashes are prosecuted under vehicular homicide or manslaughter laws, especially when BAC is extremely high (e.g., ≥ 0.15 g/dL in 67% of alcohol-impaired fatalities in 2021) .
High-Profile Example
- The 2021 Waukesha parade attack, killed 6 people, was prosecuted as intentional homicide via vehicle, not DUI.
Takeaway
- Roughly 1 in 3 traffic fatalities in the U.S. involve alcohol impairment.
- Over 13,000 deaths/year in recent years due to drunk driving.
- A life is lost every ~40 minutes from these preventable crashes.
- Among youth and children, alcohol’s impact is especially harsh.
- Excessive BAC levels (≥ 0.15) play a role in most DUI deaths.
- DUI-inflicted deaths may be legally prosecuted as vehicular homicide.
