A 22-year-old Bensenville man is being held without pretrial release after prosecutors say he drove the wrong way on Route 83 while extremely intoxicated, causing a head-on crash that later killed a woman in the other car. The early-morning wreck left two people hospitalized and has DuPage County officials using the case as a grim reminder of what happens when people mix drinking and driving.
According to FOX 32 Chicago, the collision happened around 5:04 a.m. on Friday, April 17, on Route 83 between Frontage Road and I-290 in unincorporated Bensenville. Prosecutors say Zion Turrubiates-Andrade, 22, was behind the wheel of a 2002 Buick LeSabre, heading north in the southbound lanes, when he slammed into a vehicle carrying two people. Both occupants of that car were rushed to a hospital, and one of them, identified by authorities as Michele Lavorata, died from her injuries two days later. Prosecutors say a blood test later put Turrubiates-Andrade's blood-alcohol concentration at 0.253, more than three times the legal limit, and that he was hospitalized before being released into police custody.
A DuPage County judge granted prosecutors' request to deny pretrial release, keeping Turrubiates-Andrade locked up while the case moves forward. As reported by Patch, State’s Attorney Robert Berlin called the crash "100% avoidable" and said there is no excuse for getting behind the wheel after drinking when ride-sharing, designated drivers, and other options are available.
Charges and court schedule
Prosecutors have charged Turrubiates-Andrade with one count of aggravated DUI causing death and two counts of aggravated DUI causing great bodily harm. He is scheduled to return to court on May 18, according to FOX 32 Chicago. The DuPage County State's Attorney's Office filed the charges while investigators continue to review evidence from the crash.
Where the crash happened
Officials said the wreck occurred on a stretch of Route 83 just north of the Elmhurst city limit, in an unincorporated part of Bensenville. The roadway was shut down as local police and emergency crews responded and conducted their investigation, and both vehicles were left with heavy front-end damage, Patch reported.
Legal context
Under Illinois law, a DUI that results in death can be charged as aggravated DUI under 625 ILCS 5/11-501(d), which elevates the offense to a felony. The statute, set out by the Illinois General Assembly, outlines the framework for charges and penalties. Legal summaries note that aggravated DUI causing death can carry lengthy prison terms, including potential sentences of several to 14 years for a single death under state sentencing guidelines, as detailed in an overview from Lafata Law.
