Oct. 29--The survivor of a fatal car crash earlier this week had been involved in a crash in 2013 that seriously injured another passenger, and had been scheduled to go to court Friday on a driving under the influence charge for that incident.
Ashley Trenholm remains in critical condition after Monday evening's car crash in Schaumburg that left two people dead. Trenholm, 23, of Schaumburg, was the passenger in a car driven by 19-year-old Michael Owsiany.
Police said Owsiany was involved in two crashes in one minute. No one was injured in the first crash, but Owsiany hit a second car, driven by Erin Semerad, who died at the scene. Owsiany died later at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, officials said.
"She had a happy life, and her friends loved her, and her husband loved her, and we loved her," said Semerad's mother, Nancy Bonitzer, as she fought back tears. "She was 39 years old and probably the sweetest person I've ever known."
Just a few days before the crash, Trenholm was in court for a sentencing hearing in McLean County for aggravated DUI. In 2013, Trenholm and 18-year-old Jesse Sternberg were driving down from Schaumburg to Vandalia to visit a mutual friend. When they stopped to get lunch, Trenholm consumed alcohol, then lost control of the car as she drove 90 mph on the interstate, officials said.
Sternberg was left paralyzed.
"He's a quadriplegic," said his father, Dave Sternberg. "They didn't expect him to live."
Last week's emotional sentencing hearing spanned four hours, said Jeff Hall, Trenholm's attorney. The judge took the matter under advisement and was due to issue a ruling on Friday, said Hall, who added that the sentence could range from probation to 12 years in prison.
McLean County Assistant State's Attorney Ashley Scarborough asked the judge to sentence her to 10 years. Trenholm previously was arrested for DUI in DuPage County but pleaded it down to a lesser offense, Scarborough said.
"It is important to note that (at the sentencing) hearing, Ashley offered to switch places with Jesse if she could," Hall said in an email to the Tribune. "Now, in a sad twist of irony, she has become the victim in a horribly unfortunate accident and is potentially fighting for her life. Tragedy has followed her home and we will do what we can to help with her recovery."
Trenholm, who has a 3-year-old son, was in a medically induced coma on Wednesday, Hall said.
"Our continued thoughts and prayers go out to all those adversely affected by this tragedy," he added.
Dave Sternberg said he immediately thought about the all the families involved in Monday's crash.
"My heart goes out to them," he said. "It had nothing to do with Jesse. Whether she sat in jail or got probation or whatever, it doesn't matter because it doesn't change Jesse's situation."
deldeib@tribpub.com
