A Hanover Park man, Eric Hernandez, stands accused of DUI and causing a car accident that resulted in injuries to two children, prompting a DuPage County judge to deny him pre-trial release, as per an announcement from the County State’s Attorney’s office. Hernandez, 31, faced the First Appearance Court where he was charged with two counts of Aggravated DUI – Great Bodily Harm and several other offenses, including driving too fast for conditions and child restraint violations.
According to a
press release
from the DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin’s office, the crash occurred on Saturday, November 9th, wherein Hernandez reportedly rear-ended another vehicle, swerved into incoming traffic, and subsequently hit a tree, while it is alleged that at the hospital Hernandez’s BAC was 0.151 which is near twice the legal limit, the investigation, led by Hanover Park police, revealed. The two children, Hernandez’s son and stepdaughter, were found injured on the grass near the crash site and transported to a local hospital.
State’s Attorney Bob Berlin expressed his concern for the well-being of the children and emphasized the dangers of drinking and driving,
stating
, “It is alleged that after he had been drinking, Mr. Hernandez got behind the wheel of his car with two children on board not restrained by a child seat and crashed his car, first into another vehicle and then into a tree, causing serious injuries to the children in his car.” Hanover Park Deputy Chief Matt Riedel mirrored these sentiments and highlighted the zero-tolerance policy for such behavior in Hanover Park.
The consequences faced by Hernandez, if convicted, could involve up to twelve years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with Hernandez expected to appear next in court on December 9, 2024, for his arraignment before Judge Brian Telander – during which time it will be decided whether the evidence against him holds sufficient weight for a trial. It is crucial to remember, as emphasized in the statement by the prosecutor’s office, that the charges against Hernandez are merely accusations and his guilt must be proven in a court of law, under the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
Note: Thank you for visiting our website! We strive to keep you informed with the latest updates based on expected timelines, although please note that we are not affiliated with any official bodies. Our team is committed to ensuring accuracy and transparency in our reporting, verifying all information before publication. We aim to bring you reliable news, and if you have any questions or concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Leave a Reply