St. Charles Man Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter After Unborn Child Dies in Car Crash

A 52-year-old St. Charles man was charged with first degree involuntary manslaughter following a March 16 crash on West Clay Street that killed an unborn child.

Paul Joseph Murphy, 52, could face a maximum of 36 years in prison. In addition to first degree involuntary manslaughter, which is punishable upon conviction of up to 15 years in the Department of Corrections, Murphy was charged with three counts of Assault Second Degree—operating a vehicle while intoxicated resulting in physical injury, with each count punishable upon conviction of up to 7 years in the Department of Corrections. 

Police said witnesses saw Murphy fail to observe electric signals and fail to drive on the right side of the roadway. As a result, his vehicle struck another car head-on. Inside the other car were an adult male, an adult female and a 3-year-old child. The female was 19-weeks pregnant at the time of the crash.

All three passengers were injured and taken the hospital. According to a release from the Prosecuting Attorney, the fetus that was being carried by the adult female was delivered still born upon arrival at the hospital.

The Prosecuting Attorney said St. Charles City Police officers made physical observations of the defendant consistent with impairment. Murphy consented to submitting to a blood sample, and the results were positive for benzodiazepines.

A warrant for Murphy’s arrest has been issued, and bond has been set at $50,000, cash only.