Man Faces Prison In Deadly Road Rage DUI

Michael Moreno, 32, faces up to 29 years in prison after being involved in a deadly road rage DUI incident in Naperville, Illinois. On June 13, 2012, Moreno chased a 16 year old driving a Honda in a bout of road rage before turning left onto another street’s oncoming traffic and striking 63 year-old motorcyclist Gerald Puglise and killing him. According to police, Moreno fled the scene of the crash but was quickly apprehended by police. Police then took Moreno to a hospital to be treated for minor injuries where he also tested positive for marijuana and cocaine. The 16 year old girl driving the Honda was not involved in the accident and did not suffer any injuries.

George Bakalis, the Dupage County judge presiding over Moreno’s bench trial found him guilty of leaving the scene of an accident involving death, disorderly conduct and 2 counts of aggravated driving under the influence of drugs. State Attorney Robert Berlin issued a press release on Wednesday, saying, ““Mr. Moreno should never have been behind the wheel of a car that afternoon. Because of his reckless actions, Gerald Puglise is no longer with his family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them. While nothing can be done to bring Mr. Puglise back to those who loved him, perhaps today’s guilty verdict will provide some measure of solace to those he left behind“. Moreno now has a pre-sentencing hearing scheduled for April 22, 2013.

If you have been arrested for driving drunk, contact an experienced and skilled Illinois DUI attorney for legal assistance.