Solomon Aguilera remained silent as Judge Carol Kipperman sentenced him to 8 1/2 years in prison for a fatal DUI in Riverside last year, the Chicago Tribune reported. The 28-year-old had two prior DUI convictions before pleading guilty, probably on the advice of his Illinois DUI lawyer, to four counts of aggravated DUI.
Late in the evening of March 29, 2009, Mr. Aguilera's vehicle veered over the center divider line and hit an SUV head-on, killing one and seriously injuring two others.
Not only was his blood-alcohol concentration 0.24 percent (three times the legal limit), according to results of a breathalyzer test, but police say he also was under the influence of cocaine. Angelina Meza-Hernandez, 57-years-old, was killed in the accident. Meza-Hernandez's sister and brother underwent extensive surgeries and physical therapy for their injuries following the crash.
The deceased victim's daughter, Lissette Hernandez, told reporters that she's glad Mr. Aguilera will be off the streets for a while but that the sentence doesn't fit the crime:
"It's ridiculous. It's nowhere near enough time to justify what he did."
Ms. Hernandez, who was six months pregnant at the time of her mother's death, said she especially misses her mother now that she is a young mother. She was disappointed that Mr. Aguilera did not even tell the surviving victims or the victims' family members he was sorry, according to an article published by the Riverside/Brookfield Landmark.
Mr. Aguilera is required to serve 85 percent of his sentence and may be released prior to serving 8 1/2 years if he receives credit for good behavior. If he had stood trial and been found guilty, his sentence could have been as much as 14 years in prison. He is 28 years old.
Related Resources:
-
DUI - Sentencing (FindLaw)
-
Illinois DUI Law Promotes Ignition Devices (FindLaw Blotter)
-
Browse Chicago DUI Lawyers (FindLaw)
ShareThis
