A Cook County man accused of driving drunk in a deadly rush-hour wreck on I‑355 near Army Trail Road will stay behind bars while his case moves forward, a DuPage County judge has ruled. The May 1 crash left one passenger dead, sent three people to local hospitals and touched off a closer look at whether speed and alcohol were in play.
Charges and court order
According to prosecutors, Judge Joshua Dieden agreed with the state’s request to keep the driver in custody before trial. He was identified as 50‑year‑old Adolfo Carrillo of Cicero and is charged with aggravated DUI causing death along with several traffic offenses. The detention motion and charges were detailed in a public notice from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.
Crash details and victim
Authorities say the collision occurred around 5:58 p.m. May 1 on northbound I‑355 at Army Trail Road in Addison, when a Ford pickup merging onto the tollway hit the passenger side of a Lexus SUV. A passenger in the Lexus, identified as 65‑year‑old Rebeca Hidalgo, was taken to a hospital with severe internal injuries and later died. The Lexus driver and two adult passengers were also evaluated for injuries, according to the Daily Herald.
Investigators' allegations and testing
Prosecutors allege Carrillo was traveling at a high rate of speed, moved across several lanes and cut into the I‑355 merge lane before striking the Lexus, citing witness accounts and the detention petition. Troopers on scene reported that the driver had bloodshot, glossy eyes and smelled of alcohol. Blood drawn while he was being treated reportedly showed a blood alcohol level of about .098, according to Patch.
What the law says
Under Illinois law, aggravated DUI resulting in death is a Class 2 felony. The statute and appellate decisions set a specific sentencing range when a death occurs and generally require prison time, with judges directed to stay within the statute’s terms. Guidance on how courts have interpreted the law can be found in Illinois appellate rulings summarized by Justia.
Next steps in court
Carrillo is scheduled to return to court on June 1, 2026. In its public statement, the state's attorney's office extended condolences to Hidalgo’s family and thanked Illinois State Police and the assistant state's attorneys involved in the case. Officials also stressed that the charges are allegations at this stage and that Carrillo, like any defendant, is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, according to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office and local reporting.
