The lives of two young Illinois men were forever changed after a fatal Mother’s Day crash that left one dead and the other facing criminal charges.
Glenview police say 21-year-old Taeyeon Kim was responsible for the crash that claimed the life of 17-year-old Marko Niketic. Kim appeared in court for the first time on Saturday, where the judge said the “fast and furious fatal accident” was a “brazen disregard for human life,” according to reports. FOX 32 Chicago.
According to police, the accident happened between East Lake Avenue and Meadow Lane just after 11 p.m. on May 12. Kim was captured on dashcam in a 2021 Ford Mustang speeding from downtown Chicago onto a suburban street with a 35 mph speed limit, running a red light and suffering internal injuries. He is accused of having alcohol and marijuana in the vehicle.
Prosecutors said Kim had reached speeds of 131 mph before the crash and that witnesses saw Kim’s car turn off its headlights, according to local broadcasters. According to court documents obtained by NBC Chicago, Niketic was attempting to make a left turn onto Lake Avenue, but Kim allegedly turned her headlights on again before hitting the teen’s car. Documents say Kim’s car was traveling 192 mph at the time of the collision, and Niketic’s car was severely damaged.
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Taeyeon Kim, 21, faces multiple charges in the Mother’s Day crash that claimed the life of 7-year-old Marko Niketic. (Glenview Village Police Station)
Niketic, a senior at Glenbrook South High School who was just days away from graduating, was pronounced dead at the scene. His girlfriend, who was a passenger, suffered injuries including a brain hemorrhage and a fractured pelvis, FOX32 reported.
Police said a passenger in Kim’s car was also taken to the hospital in critical condition.
Fox News Digital reached out to Glenview Police for additional information, but did not immediately receive a response.
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Video taken at the scene shows how badly damaged the car driven by Marko Niketic was in the crash. (FOX 32 Chicago)
“He’s one of those guys,” Preston Shute said of Niketic on NBC Chicago. “When you meet him in person, he shines. He’s the most genuine human being ever.” “He had a lot going on. I can’t quite handle it.”
Marko Niketic was just days away from the highlight of any high school senior’s life: prom and graduation.
Kim’s lawyer spoke outside the courtroom on Saturday alongside what appeared to be her devastated parents.
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“He blames himself a lot as a father, but that may have been due to lack of supervision,” the lawyer said.
Kim faces charges including two counts of aggravated driving under the influence and reckless homicide, and his next court date is set for May 24, FOX32 reports.
