Joliet driver charged with DUI, fleeing scene of fatal crash

A 30-year-old man has been charged with driving under the influence and causing a crash that killed a pedestrian on Joliet’s near West Side, according to court records.

On Wednesday, a bill of indictment was filed against Samuel L. Byrd of the 600 block of Ida Street in Joliet. The indictment charged him with causing the death of 36-year-old Alex J. Dauzvardis.

On June 6, Dauzvardis was found by officers near the corner of West Park Front Street and Park Drive, Joliet police said in a news release.

He showed no signs of life and fire department paramedics confirmed he was dead, police said.

A major crash reconstruction expert was called to the scene, police said.

The Will County Coroner’s Office said Dauzvardis was struck by avehicle and killed.

An autopsy showed Dauzvardis suffered multiple injuries, the coroner’s office said.

The indictment alleges Byrd was driving with a blood-alcohol concentration greater than the legal limit when he was involved in a motor vehicle crash that resulted in Dauzvardis’s death.

Byrd faces eight counts of aggravated driving under the influence and one count of leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

Byrd was initially cited by Joliet police for improper traffic lane usage, but that charge was dropped June 25.

A warrant has been issued for Byrd’s arrest. The warrant carries a $500,000 bond. If Byrd is apprehended and jailed, he will need to post $50,000 for his release.

Dauzvardis’ obituary said he held jobs in various positions ranging from construction to health and fitness. He was also the father of two daughters, according to the obituary.