A driver under the influence who traveled the wrong way on Lake Shore Drive and crashed into a CTA bus, resulting in the death of his passenger on her 37th birthday, has been sentenced to four years in prison. However, he is anticipated to be released in November due to credit received for adhering to a nighttime curfew during house arrest.
Dontrell Biggs, 32, admitted guilt to aggravated DUI causing a fatal accident, which led to the sentence imposed by Cook County Judge Peggy Chiampas, according to court documents.
Prosecutors claimed that his blood alcohol content was nearly twice the legal limit when he drove his SUV in the early hours of July 9, 2023.
Surveillance footage from the city reportedly captured Biggs executing a U-turn on Lake Shore Drive and proceeding southbound in the northbound lanes around 6 a.m. A motorist called 911 to report the wrong-way driver and called again after Biggs’ SUV collided with a CTA bus near 45th Street, prosecutors stated.
Charice Rush, celebrating her 37th birthday, was a passenger in Biggs’ vehicle. She was thrown from the front passenger seat and died. Another passenger, a 32-year-old woman in the back seat, sustained a broken hip and needed surgery. The Chicago Fire Department reported that 16 people were taken to hospitals from the crash site, but none of the bus passengers had serious injuries.
Approximately 20 minutes post-crash, Biggs’ blood alcohol level was recorded at .1525, significantly above the legal limit of .08, as stated by prosecutors during an initial court hearing.
Legally, Biggs is required to serve 85% of his four-year sentence. Nonetheless, court documents indicate he accrued 955 days of credit towards his sentence while awaiting trial, primarily by adhering to a nighttime curfew at home rather than being in jail. This leaves him with about 286 days to serve. His parole is scheduled for November 17.
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