WHEATON, Ill. (STMW) – A 32-year-old southwest suburban man has been found guilty of causing a fatal crash last spring that claimed the life of a motorcyclist in Naperville.
Michael Moreno of the 11700 block of Presley Court in Plainfield was found guilty of aggravated DUI (drugs) involving death, a Class 2 felony, for the June 15, 2012, crash, according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s office.
The verdict was handed down by Judge George Bakalis, who presided over a four-day bench trial, a release from the state’s attorney’s office said.
On June 15, 2012, at about 5 p.m., Moreno was involved in a road rage incident with another vehicle. Following the incident, he chased the other vehicle westbound on Ogden Avenue in Naperville, prosecutors charged.
During the chase, Moreno turned south on River Road, across oncoming traffic, and hit Gerald Puglise’s motorcycle. After hitting Puglise, Moreno drove away, but Naperville police apprehended him a short time later, prosecutors said.
Puglise, of Lombard, died at the scene of the crash. Moreno was taken to a hospital for minor injuries and tested positive for cocaine and marijuana, prosecutors said.
In all, Moreno was found guilty of two counts of aggravated driving under the influence of drugs involving death, one count of aggravated leaving the scene of an accident involving death), and one count of disorderly conduct.
Because the crash involved a death, he faces a possible prison term of up to 29 years. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 22.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2013. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
