A fatal crash that killed one on the Kennedy expressway over the weekend was the result of drunk driving, according to police reports.
The accident occurred at 4:20 am Sunday on the Kennedy expressway. The vehicle veered into a barrier, then swerved back into traffic, hitting two other vehicles and causing a third to smash into a wall.
There were seven passengers in the vehicle. Some were sitting on others’ laps. 23-year-old Maryana Holovii was one of the seven passengers, seated directly behind the driver. She was rushed to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center after sustaining several broken ribs and a punctured heart in the crash. She ultimately succumbed to her wounds and was pronounced dead at 6:45 am.
The driver, Pavlo Lulak, had a blood alcohol content of .207—well over the legal limit of .08. He has been charged with aggravated DUI involving a death.
“The driver is going to be facing multiple charges in this case,” says Chicago DUI Attorney, Brett Appelman. “Aggravated DUI, causing an accident, and possibly a lifetime ban on driving. Because one of his passengers died, if he is convicted he will be sentenced to a mandatory minimum of 3 years in state prison. That prison term is non-probationable, meaning he MUST go to prison if convicted. These tragedies are becoming more common in Illinois. The case of Sandra Vasquez from 2007 is very similar. She had too many people in her car while leaving a party. She was drunk and crashed her car, killing 5 teenaged passengers. She is currently serving a 15 year sentence in the state prison.”
Related Sources:
Chicagotribune.com
Illinois Criminal & Civil Defense Blog 