New charges filed in death of bicycle rider
By BRIAN STANLEY bstanley@stmedianetwork.com June 27, 2012 11:00AM
Updated: July 29, 2012 5:00PM
JOLIET — The driver who was allegedly drunk when she fatally struck a man riding on a bicycle June 6 now faces felony charges.
Cara G. Quiett, 31, was arrested Wednesday morning at her home, 124 Meadow Ave. in Rockdale, on a charge of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol — causing the death or injury of another.
On the evening of June 6, Quiett was driving in the 600 block of South Midland Avenue when she rear-ended James H. Farmer, 49, according to reports. Farmer was ejected off his bike and struck the pavement. Farmer was taken to Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet where he died June 18.
The crash occurred in Rockdale but was investigated by Joliet’s traffic unit at the smaller department’s request.
Quiett remained at the scene but reportedly refused to submit to a Breathalyzer test.
Sgt. Phil Stice reported officers “smelled alcohol and (found) other evidence at the scene,” which allowed them to obtain a search warrant requiring Quiett to have blood drawn at the hospital where Farmer was already being treated.
Quiett was charged that night with driving under the influence of alcohol, but was allowed to post $100 for the misdemeanor.
Stice said the blood draw came back from the lab Monday and he was able to obtain an arrest warrant carrying a $500,000 bond.
