A Round Lake Beach man who fled from police at high speed before crashing his SUV and killing two passengers was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison.
A Lake County jury found Jose S. Aguirre, 30, guilty in June for aggravated drunk driving for the 2020 crash that killed Juan Renteria-Becerra, 34, of Mundelein, and Edgar Herrera, 30, of Round Lake Beach.
Authorities said Aguirre was seen driving at a high rate of speed around 3:30 a.m. on Sept. 27, 2020, and police tried to make a traffic stop. Aguirre, though, drove away at speeds that topped 100 miles per hour, authorities said.
Police opted to not pursue the SUV for safety reasons. Several minutes later, police came to the vehicle that had rolled over after crashing in a wooded rear near Illinois Route 134 and West Main Street. The Chevrolet Traverse was going 110 mph in the moments before the crash, prosecutors said.
The two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene. A third passenger suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to authorities.
At his trial, Aguirre testified that he was not driving the SUV. Jurors, however, found him guilty after deliberating for several hours.
Judge Christopher Lombardo sentenced Aguirre Friday. Prosecutors asked for an 18-year prison sentence.
“While we are disappointed the sentence was not higher, this prison term sends the correct message that dangerous drivers will be held accountable in Lake County,” State’s Atty. Eric Rinehart said in a media statement. “And we continue to grieve with the victims over this horrific crime. We will support them and continue our work with our community partners such as schools, the Health Department, and Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists to increase awareness and save lives. “
Aguirre will receive 611 days of credit for time spent in the county jail awaiting trial and then sentencing.
