Illinois Man Charged With DUI In Fatal Crash

Chrissie Cole

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An Illinois man has been extradited from Illinois to face charges stemming from a motorcycle accident last year that left a motorcyclist dead and the passenger without a leg.

James Laier was booked into Pinellas County Jail in Florida on charges of driving under the influence-manslaughter and DUI-serious bodily injury. His bail was set at $55,000.

On July 18, Laier tried to cross Ridge Road from Lakeside Road when his Chevrolet S-10 pickup collided with a 2007 Yamaha R6 sport motorcycle, Largo police said. The motorcyclist, John Prado, 21, of Clearwater, was killed, and his passenger, Heather Lynn Cook, lost at least one leg, said Sgt. George Edmiston of the Largo Police Department.

At the time of the accident, his blood-alcohol levels were 0.195 and 0.196. Florida drivers are presumed drunk at 0.08. Laier nor his passenger were seriously injured.

Laier was accused of beating his wife and charged with aggravated battery in McHenry County, Ill., prior to being extradited.

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