Teen faces 29-count bill of indictment in Feb. 24 traffic death of Karen Shafer

Traveon Parham

Online Staff Report

Traveon Parham, the 17-year-old who was allegedly behind the wheel of the vehicle that killed 58-year-old Karen Shafer of Rockford Feb. 24, faces a 29-count bill of indictment.

Winnebago County State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato announced March 21 that a Winnebago County grand jury returned a 29-count bill of indictment charging Parham, who was 16 at the time of the accident, in regard to the traffic-related death. The bill of indictment charges are as follow:

• First-degree murder (three counts, Class M);

• Aggravated possession of a stolen motor vehicle (four counts, Class 1);

• Vehicle theft conspiracy (two counts, Class 1);

• Aggravated driving under the influence (DUI) (one count, Class 1);

• Possession of a stolen motor vehicle (two counts, Class 2);

• Theft (two counts, Class 2);

• Reckless homicide (two counts, Class 3);

• Aggravated DUI causing great bodily harm (two counts, Class 4);

• Aggravated DUI under the influence of drugs (one count, Class 4);

• Failure to stop after having an accident involving personal injury or death (three counts, Class 4);

• Aggravated reckless driving (two counts, Class 4); and

• Aggravated fleeing to elude (five counts, Class 4).

Parham remains under a $250,000 bond. His next court appearance will be at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, March 28, in Courtroom C of the Winnebago County Justice Center.

The case remains under investigation, and the State’s Attorney’s Office has not excluded the possibility of other charges being filed relating to this investigation.

Members of the Rockford Police Department were dispatched to Holy Family Church, 4401 Highcrest Road, shortly after 12:15 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 24, in reference to subjects in the parking lot breaking into cars.

While officers were responding to the call, a Winnebago County Sheriff’s deputy who was in the area located the possible suspects and a suspect vehicle in the parking lot of the church.

The suspects fled from the area in the suspect vehicle southbound on North Alpine Road. The suspect vehicle was involved in a traffic accident at the intersection of North Alpine and Brendenwood roads.

Shafer was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 12:51 p.m. An autopsy showed her cause of death was blunt trauma to her chest and abdomen.

The three occupants of the suspect vehicle were also transported to local hospitals for treatment.

The two passengers of the suspect vehicle have been identified as 17-year-old Corey J. Butler and a 16-year-old male juvenile, both of Rockford, who have been charged with probation violation.

Posted March 21, 2013