A third man was critically injured in the single-vehicle crash, which occurred shortly before 3:30 a.m. at 55th Street and Kedzie Avenue, police said.
The driver, Roberto Almazan, 24, of the 5400 block of South Spaulding Avenue suffered non-life threatening injuries in the crash and was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital. Police said in addition to the DUI charge, he also was ticketed for speeding and failure to stay in his lane.
Leopoldo Gonzalez, 28, of the 6500 block of South Kostner Avenue was pronounced dead at Mt. Sinai Hospital, the Cook County medical examiner's office said.
Police said their investigation was continuing, with the possibility of upgraded charges being lodged against Almazan.
"I know that the Major Accident Investigation Unit were seeking upgraded charges," police spokesman Daniel O'Brien said.
A spokesman for the Cook County state's attorney's office could not immediately be reached for comment.
The crash, which initially was reported by police to be a hit and run, left the occupants' black sport-utility vehicle heavily damaged and it had to be cut open so firefighters could get to passengers who were trapped inside. Gonzalez was thrown from the vehicle at impact.
Dan P. Blake, Tribune reporter
Leave a comment