Gabriel Johnson sentenced to prison for reckless homicide in Auburn Gresham crash that killed Wally Flex

Michael Lansu — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 14:36:59 -0600

Gabriel Johnson / Photo from Cook County Sheriff's office

BY LEEANN SHELTON
Sun-Times Media

Two men were sentenced to prison Tuesday for their roles in a police chase that ended in a crash that killed an acquaintance in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood in August 2014.

Gabriel E. Johnson, 18, and Dontrell Reese, 20, and Wally Flex, 16, were in a Chevrolet Monte Carlo trying to outrun police on Aug. 14, 2014, when the car spun out and crashed near West 80th Street and South Lowe Avenue, prosecutors said.

Flex, a 16-year-old backseat passenger, suffered a broken neck from the crash and died at the scene, authorities said.

Before the crash, police officers investigating a nearby gang-related shooting noticed the Monte Carlo, which had a broken rear window, circling the area of the shooting, prosecutors said.

The officers attempted to stop the car, but the driver sped away. Officers watched the car hit a speed bump, disobey two stops signs and eventually crash into a light pole and flip over, prosecutors said.

The driver, Johnson, later tested positive for marijuana, prosecutors said. Emergency personnel found a loaded revolver tucked in his waistband after he was cut out of the wreckage, prosecutors said.

Reese tossed away a black .32 caliber revolver after climbing out of a passenger side window, prosecutors said.

Johnson, of the 6800 block of South Champlain Avenue, pleaded guilty Tuesday to reckless homicide, aggravated DUI and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, according to court records.

Reese, of the 7500 block of South Eggleston Avenue, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a weapon, according to court records.

Judge Joseph G. Kazmierski sentenced both men to four years each in prison.

Gabriel Johnson charged with reckless homicide in crash that killed Wally Flex

Brian Slodysko — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 10:58:28 -0500

Gabriel Johnson / Photo from Cook County Sheriff's office

BY BRIAN SLODYSKO
Chicago Sun-Times

Two men were ordered held on $1 million bond each Sunday for their roles in a police chase that ended in a fatal crash.

Cook County Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. set bail after prosecutors described how Gabriel Johnson, 18, and Dontrell Reese, 20, tried to outrun police but quickly spun out and crashed into a light pole Thursday evening near West 80th Street and South Lowe Avenue.

The red Chevrolet Monte Carlo they were in flipped on its side, killing 16-year-old backseat passenger Wally Flex, Assistant State’s Attorney Robert Mack said.

Before the crash, plainclothes Chicago Police officers were patrolling the area following reports of a nearby gang-related shooting, Mack said.

The officers noticed the Monte Carlo, which had a broken rear window, because it was circling the area of the shooting, Mack said.

The officers initially stopped the car. But when they approached, Johnson sped away, Mack said.

The officers watched as the car hit a speed bump and disregarded two stops signs, Mack said. Police chased the Monte Carlo until Johnson careened into a light pole and the car flipped several blocks later.

Flex, whose neck was broken in the crash, died at the scene, authorities said.

Reese was arrested after he climbed out of the passenger side window and tossed a black .32 caliber revolver, Mack said.

Johnson was pinned in the car and was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County with several fractured bones, Mack said. First responders found a loaded revolver tucked in his waistband.

Johnson, who tested positive for marijuana, was charged with reckless homicide, aggravated DUI and unlawful possession of a handgun, prosecutors said. He also was cited with several traffic offenses as well as not having a drivers’ license.

Reese, a convicted felon, was charged with felony unlawful possession of a firearm.

Gabriel Johnson | Homicide Watch Chicago

Gabriel Johnson sentenced to prison for reckless homicide in Auburn Gresham crash that killed Wally Flex

Gabriel Johnson charged with reckless homicide in crash that killed Wally Flex