More details released on charges in the deaths of three southwest IL family members

Two more people have been charged in connection with an August crash that killed three members of a southwestern Illinois family.

Prosecutors allege Blake A. Jones, 18, of Worden was under the influence of alcohol, ran a stop sign and struck the vehicle the Cafazza family of Bethalto was driving.

John A. Cafazza, 55; Melissa R. Cafazza, 52; and their son, Dominic J. Cafazza, 12, died in the Aug. 13 crash.

On Friday, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine charged two men, David P. Thomae, 55, and Brandon M. McKinnon, 23, with permitting a violation of the liquor control act causing death. The county sheriff’s department alleges the two men supplied Jones with alcohol the night Jones allegedly struck the Cafazzas vehicle.

“A separate and thorough investigation into the acquisition into how the minor obtained the alcohol was conducted,” a statement from the sheriff’s department read. “This investigation was conducted during the same period as the accident investigation.”

On Monday, Madison County State’s Attorney Communications Director Philip Lasseigne said the state’s attorney’s office could not comment on the case further.

Bail for Thomae and McKinnon has been set at $15,000 each.

Jones faces multiple counts of reckless homicide and driving under the influence of alcohol, among other charges.

It wasn’t immediately clear if the men have attorneys. Listed phone numbers could not be located.

John and Melissa are survived by three other sons, A.J., Vinny and Nick.

At a candlelight vigil held in Bethalto after their deaths, the number 24, which Dominic wore on his soccer jersey, decorated the football field at Civic Memorial High School. Hundreds gathered to grieve at the vigil.

This story was originally published November 1, 2021 at 12:22 PM.