The driver in a fatal McHenry County DUI-related crash was arrested this month while breaking in cars in Crystal Lake, according to police. Urichait Herrera-Garcia, 23, was believed to have fled the county after the tragic October crash. He was indicted by a grand jury on six counts of aggravated DUI more than seven months ago. Herrera-Gracia was finally arraigned on Monday in a McHenry County courtroom.
The single-vehicle crash took place in Lakemoor and resulted in the death of Leonardo Elias, 18, of Round Lake, and injured six others. Police allege that Herrera-Garcia was drunk and speeding in a minivan when it left the roadway, striking a tree.
Police believed that Herrera-Garcia had fled to Mexico until he was arrested in Crystal Lake. He was allegedly caught fleeing an area where officers were responding to reports of a vehicle break-in in progress. Police say he used a false name when charged with the burglary. He eventually admitted his true identity after police questioned him about certain discrepancies including his fingerprints.
Herrera-Garcia pleaded not guilty on Monday to the felony DUI charges and asked for a jury trial.
Fugitive in fatal 2009 McHenry Co. crash captured breaking into cars, www.dailyherald.com, July 26, 2010