March 26, 2014

Shane Stokowski - a victim of drunk driving in Chicago

Shane Stokowski, age 33, died on March 22, 2014, at a hospital in Chicago, Illinois.

Shane was out with friends at a bar on a Saturday afternoon. They were having a good time. 

Shane Stokowski (L);  Tim McShane (R)
Tim McShane, age 42, at the next table, was also partying at the bar. Before 5:00 p.m., the bartender stopped serving Timothy McShane due to excessive alcohol consumption.

Tim McShane left the bar, got into an SUV and hit several parked cars while trying to drive away. Shane Stokowski approached the vehicle trying to get the man to not drive. Shane leaned into the vehicle's window and Tim McShane took off, carrying Shane for a block before he fell and struck his head on the pavement. He died soon thereafter from brain trauma.

Tim McShane was arrested and his blood alcohol was tested at 1:00 a.m. Sunday. The reading, hours after the incident, was still 3 times the legal limit.

Tim McShane has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI. He has at least 3 other DUI related arrests on his record, although the last one was sometime in 2006.

To All Drivers: If you find that you are drunk or doped up on street drugs or prescription drugs or if you are falling asleep on your feet, do NOT drive. Call a family member or a friend for a ride; or take a taxi; or stay where you are until you sober up; or crawl home on your hands and knees. It will be better for you and for the world if you do. Regret can last a lifetime.

Shane Stokowski worked as an animator and illustrator for a health care company. He
Saint Bernadette of Lourdes,
pray for Shane and for those
who have lost him 
grew up in Peoria and had majored in graphics design at Eastern Illinois University.

Family members are devastated over his senseless and tragic death. Shane enjoyed biking, playing guitar, traveling, basketball and dancing. He was popular, friendly and helpful.

Shane was a member of St. Philomena Catholic Church, and he volunteered with the Muscular Dystrophy Association for many years.

Shane is survived by many loving friends and family members including his parents, Jeff and Christine; his brother, Patrick; his sister, Sheila; and his fiancée, Erin.

Pray for all who die by misadventure. They are with us one moment and gone the next.

God save us from the drunk and doped up drivers. They are killing us, Father.

Pray that Shane is in heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.

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