One of the contestants on a "Wheel of Fortune" segment shown Tuesday on a local television station was killed last week in a motorcycle accident after winning more than $48,000 on the pre-taped show.
David White, 25, was killed Thursday when his motorcycle was struck by an alleged drunken driver on the city's Northwest Side. Three weeks ago, White was a contestant on the popular game show and came away with $48,050 in cash and prizes."We've never had anything happen like this," said a spokeswoman for Merv Griffin Enterprises, which produces the show.
Officials of WLS-TV, the local ABC affiliate, contacted White's family Tuesday after learning he had died. They asked for and received permission to run the taped segment.
White was employed part-time at Blackhawk Park on the Northwest Side, where he worked with handicapped children, his life's passion, according to family and friends.
"He loved kids," said his fiancee, Ann Olejniczak. "He wanted a bunch of them."
James Lowlanski, 28, Chicago, was charged with reckless homicide and driving under the influence of alcohol after his car struck White and another motorcyclist, police said. The other motorcycle driver remains hospitalized in fair condition.