Bail, Facebook apology upset family of slain hit-run victim Bail, Facebook apology upset hit-run victim's family

Fadel Steadman's mother was incredulous after hearing on Friday that the man accused of causing a gruesome drunken-driving crash that killed her son earlier this week will remain free on bail as long as he does not drive or drink.

"They just cut him a slice of cake, and he walked off," said Toni Steadman. "What I have is going to be with me for the rest of my life — no one can bring back my son."

A deputy who stopped James John Onak, 49, early Tuesday morning said the bloodied body of 32-year-old Steadman was in the passenger seat, apparently after going through the shattered windshield.

Onak allegedly drove three miles with Steadman's body in his vehicle after striking him on the Gulf Freeway.

He was arrested and charged with felony failure to stop and render aid involving a fatality and driving while intoxicated. He was free Thursday after posting a $50,500 bail. Prosecutors said the amount was $20,000 more than the standard bail for similar charges.

State District Judge Kevin Fine on Friday said Onak must have a monitoring station in his home to check his blood alcohol level three times a day. He also must attend daily Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Onak sat alone in the back of the courtroom during Friday's proceedings.

Steadman's family sat in the middle of the gallery and spoke at length after the hearing. "He should be in jail," Toni Steadman said. "We want to see him go to jail. He killed my son."

Steadman stood with her husband and other family outside the court after Fine ruled that Onak could remain free as long as he does not drive or drink.

"Money talks," the grieving mother said. "He's going to get around everything they gave him. He's still going to drive drunk. He's still going to drink in his house."

The victim's brother also was shocked.

"He killed someone," Gary Steadman said. "He shouldn't be walking the streets."

Contact on Facebook

He said the family was surprised Onak's wife appears to have contacted him through Facebook to offer condolences.

"Put yourself in our shoes. We don't need to hear that right now," Gary Steadman said. "How is that appropriate?"

In an private email, Onak's wife said, "Please excuse my contacting you in such an impersonal way."

The message continues, "Words cannot express the sorrow that my whole family feels for your pain. I feel as if I have lost one of my own children."

Onak, an accountant, and his family are distraught about the wreck, said his attorney, Stanley Schneider.

"It's been very hard on him," Schneider said. "His heart goes out to the family."

Investigators said Onak was intoxicated when the Mazda 626 he was driving struck Steadman on the Gulf Freeway around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Steadman, who had managed a Subway restaurant on Space Center and Bay Area Boulevard, picked up his golf clubs at his brother's home late Monday, visited for about an hour and headed home at midnight.

He drove about 3 miles

Steadman was driving a Ford Explorer when he ran out of gas and pulled into the emergency lane on the left side of the freeway near Fuqua. His passenger went one direction to get help, and Steadman went the other way.

The stranded motorist was struck by Onak's car, police said, and he went through the windshield.

About 10 minutes later, a Precinct 8 deputy constable stopped Onak for not having his headlights on. He was three miles from the Explorer.

More charges possible

The officer saw Steadman's body in the passenger seat. Onak said he didn't realize the body of a dead man was next to him. He said he thought he hit something, but he was not sure, police said.

At the scene of the wreck, investigators found the Mazda's license plate and, apparently, Steadman's leg, officials said.

Harris County prosecutor Catherine Evans did not release Onak's suspected blood alcohol level Friday. She said the investigation is continuing and did not rule out whether the charges could be upgraded. Those charges could include intoxication manslaughter.

Onak now faces a maximum of 10 years in jail on a third-degree felony.

brian.rogers@chron.com