Ten-year-old Calvin Santos was crossing the street in Rogers Park last week with his 3-year-old sister and father, according to NBC Chicago, when he was struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver. Neither sister Liliana Santos nor father Bulmaro Santos were injured in the accident.
The driver, identified as 30-year-old Rogers Park resident Martin Candia, was charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI. His Chicago DUI lawyer likely will urge his or her client to plead guilty, but the defendant faces a tough trial involving the death of a child.
The three family members were crossing the street between two parked SUVs on North Ashland Blvd. when Martin Candia crashed into one of the vehicles, which pinned and crushed Calvin Santos between the two. He was declared dead shortly after arriving at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston.
One of his cousins, Dania Soto, wept on the street and seemed to be speaking directly to the defendant when questioned by reporters:
"Alcohol was involved, so don't drink and drive. You just took our life away. You took my cousin' life away."
Dania Soto also told Chicago Tribune reporters that 3-year-old Liliana witnessed the crushing death of her brother, something that no doubt will haunt her for some time. Bulmaro Santos said he heard the crash but didn't see it happen.
The boy's father described his deceased son as a "good kid" who enjoyed swimming, playing soccer and riding his bike.
Reckless homicide in cases where the defendant was determined to have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a Class 2 felony in the state of Illinois. If found guilty, Martin Candia faces between six and 28 years in prison.
Related Resources:
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Felony Drunk Driving (FindLaw)
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Donte Stallworth Charged with DUI Manslaughter; 'Per Se' DUI and DUI Manslaughter (FindLaw's Blotter Blog)
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Browse Chicago DUI Lawyers (FindLaw)
