A 27-year-old Verona woman could have her court case decided by a bench trial. Alexi Garbi has pleaded not guilty to the charge of Aggravated Use of an Electronic Communication Device/ Death, a class four felony.
The Grundy County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two vehicle accident that occurred at the intersection of West Grand Ridge Road and South Verona Road on June 2nd of 2020. Sheriff Ken Briley said several first responders extricated 65-year-old Ellen Hackl from her vehicle, which was on fire at the time.
Hackl was airlifted to an area hospital. Hackl passed away on June 19, 2020 at Loyola University Medical Center from her injuries. Investigators say Garbi was conducting a Facetime call on her electronic communication device while also operating a vehicle resulting in the crash that killed Hackl.
Garbi remains free on a $20,000 bond. She is slated to have her case determined by a bench trial in front of Grundy County Judge Scott Belt on May 10th.