Politics & Government

Driver in Crash That Killed Unborn Baby Was High, Police Say

Witnesses told police that Paul Joseph Murphy failed to stay on the right side of the road and ran stop lights before crossing the center line and causing a head-on collision on West Clay.

A St. Charles man was driving under the influence of drugs when his car crashed head-on into another car carrying a pregnant woman, causing her to miscarry March 16, officials said.

Paul Joseph Murphy, 52, of the 1000 block of Crescent Drive in St. Charles, was charged Tuesday with involuntary manslaughter and three counts of second-degree assault.

St. Charles Police said that Murphy’s car crossed over the centerline at 2850 West Clay in St. Charles and collided with the oncoming car. The woman, who was 19 weeks pregnant, delivered a stillborn child upon arrival at the hospital.

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Witnesses told police that before the crash they saw Murphy’s car crossing into oncoming traffic and failing to obey traffic signals. All three passengers in the other car were injured in the crash.

Police said that a blood test shows Murphy was under the influence of benzodiazepines, a group of tranquilizers that include Xanax and Valium. Officers said Murphy’s behavior after the crash was consistent with being under the influence of a benzodiazepine.

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Bail was set at $50,000 for Murphy. He also is not allowed to drink or drive, and cannot go inside a business where alcohol is the primary item for sale.

For more crime information on St. Charles Patch, see the following articles:

  • St. Charles Man Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter After Unborn Child Dies in Car Crash  
  • Sentencing Postponed in Double Manslaughter Case  
  • Couple Indicted on Manslaughter For Selling Heroin to Overdose Victim


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