A 46-year Texas man has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI following a crash that killed his 4-year-old son.
Franklin L. Jackson, was driving with his family when his vehicle veered across a lane and hit a guardrail twice. Eldest son, Franklin Jr., who wasn't wearing a seatbelt, was instantly ejected through the back window, unknowingly to his father.
The young boy was found in a grassy embankment unconscious by authorities and was taken to nearby Comer Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Cook County medical examiner's office said the toddler's death was due to head trauma.
According to the
Chicago Tribune, prosecutors said that Jackson, who was taken to the hospital with a broken rib, explained he did notice the hole in the back window, however didn't realise his son had been thrown from the car until he stopped at a petrol station to evaluate the damage to the car.
Despite many attempts made to save his life, Franklin Jr. died suffering from head trauma. [Pic via NY Daily News]
Jackson admitted to police that he had been drinking and driving. Empty vodka bottle and beer cans were found in the car.
Police stated that the man smelled of alcohol and had "glassy and bloodshot eyes."
The other passengers in the car, Jackson's wife and three other children, ages 1, 2 and three months, were all wearing seat belts and escaped injury.
Jackson is being held on a $250,000 bail.
