‘Big loss to our family’: Charges filed in Christmas Eve traffic fatality in Mascoutah (original) (raw)

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Reckless homicide and aggravated DUI charges have been filed against a man in connection with a Christmas Eve crash that took the life of a 51-year-old woman who grew up in Mascoutah and was known for her legal work at the Chicago Housing Authority.

Cale H. Dees Jr., 21, was charged with multiple felony offenses and is considered a fugitive, the Mascoutah Police Department said in a news release Wednesday.

Pamela Denise Meekins died from injuries suffered in the Dec. 24 crash on Illinois 4 at Fuesser Road, according to the news release. Her sisters, Carole Meekins and Janice Meekins, also were injured in the crash. They were returning home from last-minute Christmas shopping, according to another sister, Beverly Meekins.

Dees also was injured in the two-vehicle, head-on crash, which was reported at about 3:50 p.m.

First responders found that a GMC Terrain driven by Dees had collided head-on with a Honda CRV, in which the Meekins were riding.

“Upon conclusion of the investigation, it was determined Cale H. Dees Jr. had swerved into oncoming traffic to avoid colliding with a vehicle waiting to make a westbound turn onto Fuesser,” the Mascoutah news release stated.

Dees faces the following six charges filed Tuesday by the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office:

• Aggravated driving under the influence/death.
• Reckless homicide.
• Two counts of aggravated driving under the influence/great bodily harm.
• Two counts of aggravated reckless driving.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Dees is asked to call the Mascoutah Police Department.

Prosecutors have filed a petition for a pretrial detention hearing that will be conducted after Dees is arrested.

The department was assisted by the Illinois State Police Accident Reconstruction Unit in the investigation leading to the charges.

Beverly Meekins, who lives in Chicago, said it was “a lengthy process” waiting on toxicology results regarding Dees but she credited the Mascoutah Police Department with keeping the family updated on the investigation.

She said Janice Meekins has permanent problems from her injuries suffered in the crash while Carole Meekins has largely been able to recover.

Pamela Meekins was a Chicago resident and was senior assistant general counsel for the Chicago Housing Authority, according to her obituary posted by the Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah. She graduated from Mascoutah High School, Harvard University and Harvard Law School.

“Despite her many talents, Pamela was quiet and humble,” her obituary states. “She never flaunted her academic achievements, downplaying her accomplishments. She was a gifted musician and actress.”

Beverly Meekins described her sister as “kind and very gentle.” She worked hard as an attorney to “do the right thing and help other people.

“It’s a big loss to our family.”

Belleville News-Democrat

Mike Koziatek joined the Belleville News-Democrat in 1998 as an assistant editor and is now a reporter covering the Belleville area. He graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee and is from St. Louis.