On a quiet Sunday in Limestone Township, a serene day turned tragic when David R. Gargo, a 32-year-old resident of Godley, Illinois, found himself at the center of a devastating accident. The events that unfolded have not only left a community reeling but have also thrust Gargo into a legal quagmire.
Gargo now faces a grim reality after being charged by the Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s Office with four counts of aggravated driving under the influence causing an accident. These charges stem from a single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of 26-year-old Ally Tvrz and left his own sister, Trisha Gargo, critically injured.
The details of that fateful evening paint a harrowing picture: Gargo was behind the wheel of a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe, traveling eastbound on Illinois Route 113. In a tragic moment, the vehicle veered off the road and collided with a utility pole, causing it to overturn. Ally Tvrz, seated in the back, succumbed to the injuries sustained in the crash, marking a heartbreaking end to her young life.
Gargo, too, suffered injuries from the accident, though thankfully not life-threatening. After receiving necessary medical care, he was swiftly taken into custody by Illinois State Police Troop 5.
Now facing two counts of aggravated DUI causing death—a Class 2 felony—and two counts of aggravated DUI causing bodily harm—a Class 4 felony—Gargo finds himself at the intersection of profound loss and legal consequence.
Trisha Gargo, David’s 36-year-old sister and a passenger in the front seat, bore the brunt of the crash’s impact. Initially rushed to nearby Riverside Medical Center in critical condition, she was later transferred to a hospital in Chicago for extensive medical treatment.
Her injuries serve as a stark reminder of the devastating ripple effects of such accidents, affecting not just those directly involved but their families and communities at large.
The incident didn’t conclude with the initial crash. As the wrecked vehicle lay by the roadside, a secondary collision ensued when another unsuspecting driver struck the downed power lines, sparking a fire that added further chaos to the scene.
Miraculously, the driver of the second vehicle emerged unscathed, but the unfolding events only compounded the tragedy and underscored the urgent need for caution on the road.
Amidst the somber aftermath, the Kankakee County Coroner’s Office and Illinois State Police Troop 5 continue their meticulous investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Every detail, from the sequence of events to Gargo’s state of mind, will be scrutinized as authorities seek justice and closure for the victims and their families.
Adding to the complexity of this case is Gargo’s prior history with the law—a DUI conviction in November 2023 that placed him under 24-month court supervision. This prior incident casts a shadow over the current charges, raising questions about accountability and the measures in place to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the community mourns the loss of Ally Tvrz, a young life cut short, and rallies in support of Trisha Gargo’s recovery. The ripple effects of this tragedy extend beyond the immediate families involved, serving as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the irreversible consequences of impaired driving.
For David R. Gargo, the road ahead is fraught with legal challenges and personal reckoning. As he prepares to face the courts, the community awaits answers, seeking justice tempered with compassion for all affected by this devastating chain of events.