Christine Brocious

Christine Brocious

Chicago Ridge woman charged in DuPage crash that killed brother, sister

Spread the love

From staff reports 

A Chicago Ridge woman has been charged with one count of aggravated DUI causing death in a June 29 crash in DuPage County that claimed the lives of a brother and sister.

Christine Brocious, 36, of the 7000 block of Mather Avenue, was also charged with two counts of aggravated DUI causing great bodily harm.

Jorgo Cukali, 25, passed away on June 30 at a local hospital of injuries he suffered in the crash. His sister, Nastika Cukali, 30, passed away July 6 after being in a coma since the crash.

Prosecutors said the charges against Brocious would be upgraded when the case was presented to the grand jury.

Bail for Brocious was set at $1.5 million on July 6 by Judge Daniel Guerin. Her next scheduled court date is for her arraignment on August 10 in front of Guerin.

Sheriff’s police said they responded to a call for a serious crash at 11:30 p.m. on June 29 at Winfield at Mack and Winfield Roads in unincorporated DuPage County.

Upon their arrival, officers found Jorgo and Nastika suffering from severe injuries. Both were immediately transported to a local hospital.

Brocious and her passenger were also transported to a local hospital for medical attention. Her passenger was treated and released that evening. Brocious was released from the hospital a few days later.

Following her release, Brocious was charged and transported to the DuPage County Jail.

Police said Brocious was driving her silver 2005 Mazda 6 sedan northbound on Winfield Road when she approached a red light at Mack Road. Instead of stopping at the red light, police said Brocious allegedly maneuvered her vehicle between two other vehicles stopped at the light, ran the red light and t-boned Cukali’s vehicle. Police said Brocious’ blood alcohol content was .206, more than twice the legal limit.

“One week ago, Jorgo Cukali died from injuries he sustained allegedly at the hands of a drunk driver,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said on July 6. “His sister remains in a coma. A devastated family has suffered almost unimaginable loss simply because Christine Brocious allegedly thought she was fine to drive after drinking. Driving is a privilege, not a right. If that privilege is abused however, the consequences can prove deadly, as alleged in this case.

“With summer upon us, I urge everyone to please be responsible and if you have been drinking, do not get behind the wheel. Call a cab, a ride-sharing service or a friend for a ride home. You’ll be glad you did when you wake up the next morning safely at home and not in jail, the hospital or worse.

“I offer my sincerest condolences to the Cukali family as they grieve their loss with two young, promising lives having been reduced to a drunk driving statistic. I thank DuPage County Sheriff (James) Mendrick and his office for their outstanding work on this very sad case as well as Assistant State’s Attorneys Helen Kapas, Bethany Jackson and Michael Pingaj for their efforts in preparing a strong case against the defendant.”

“This is another tragic example of the outcome when one drinks and drives,” Mendrick said. “There is zero tolerance for this activity in DuPage County because drunk driving endangers everyone on the roadway. We strictly enforce DUI laws here and will continue to do so.”

Local News

CRRNH_PattiTyznik_102622

Autumn fun right around the corner

Spread the love

Spread the love  There’s a bite in the air and Halloween decorations are on sale everywhere! Time for football and bonfires and curling up with a good book. The days may be getting shorter but there’s still plenty to do. It’s going to be a busy month around the neighborhood this fall so keep a…

CPD Officers, Bryce Crosby and Andrews Zepeda; CPD Sgt. Rudy Vargas; and former Ridge Funeral Home Director Ed Tylka enjoy themselves at the Ridge Funeral Home First Responders Cookout on September 7. (Photos by Kelly White)

Ridge Funeral Home Hosts Appreciation Cookout to Honor First Responders

Spread the love

Spread the love In honor of local heroes, Ridge Funeral Home took time to honor those who dedicate their time and lives to helping others. The funeral home, 6620 W. Archer Avenue, Chicago, hosted a First Responders Appreciation Cookout on September 7 as a thank you to local police officers and firefighters, and all first…

Logo-St Laurence

Football | St. Laurence ‘D’ dominates in shutout of Notre Dame

Spread the love

Spread the loveSt. Laurence coach Adam Nissen was a happy man following the Vikings’ 24-0 shutout victory of Niles Notre Dame, Whether running the ball or dominating the Dons defensively, St. Laurence turned in an impressive performance in the CCL/ESCC crossover on Sept. 13 in Burbank. The Vikings defense allowed just 55 yards of total…

Sandburg senior quarterback Anthony Shelton (seen here in a game this season against St. Rita), threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns in a 63-34 win over Homewood-Flossmoor. Photo by Xavier Sanchez

Football | Sandburg’s Shelton throws for 3 TDs, defense scores twice in win over Homewood-Flossmoor

Spread the love

Spread the loveSandburg quarterback Anthony Shelton threw three touchdown passes, Quinn Durkin scored three times and the Eagles got two TDs from their defense as they rolled to a 63-34 win over Homewood-Flossmoor in a Week 3 Southwest Valley crossover. Shelton, a senior third-year starter, finished 14-of-19 for 283 yards and the three TDs to…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Football | Defense keys Argo to win over rival Reavis

Spread the love

Spread the loveIn Argo’s last two meetings against arch-rival Reavis, both of them losses, the Argonauts defense allowed a combined 69 points. Heading into Week 3’s South Suburban Red opener for both teams, Argo vowed things would be different this season. They were, as a stingy, hard-hitting defense helped the Argonauts (3-0, 1-0 South Suburban…

Logo-Lyons

Football | Blocked FG returned for TD sparks Lyons in win over Hinsdale Central

Spread the love

Spread the loveLyons’ special teams lived up to its name in a Week 3 victory over longtime rival Hinsdale Central in the West Suburban Silver-opener for both teams. On a 40-yard field goal attempt by the Red Devils in the second quarter, Lions senior Ryan Gertsmeier blocked the kick and senior Mack Long scooped up…

Logo-St. Rita

Football | St. Rita scores late to top Brother Rice in defensive struggle

Spread the love

Spread the loveSt. Rita junior quarterback Steven Armbruster gained valuable experience on varsity last season, appearing in five games as the Mustangs backup signal-caller.  This season, Armbruster is the unquestioned starter, and in a 14-7 victory over Brother Rice on Sept. 13 he proved he’s ready for the spotlight. Armbruster’s 80-yard scoring connection with junior…

Great Lakes Beer and Bourbon has closed its doors in Palos Park. (Photo by Steve Neuhaus)

Comings & Goings: Great Lakes Beer and Bourbon closes

Spread the love

Spread the loveGreat Lakes Beer and Bourbon abruptly closed its doors earlier this month in Palos Park after being open since last summer. The pub at 12900 S. LaGrange Road in Palos Park closed September 3 with little warning. The business posted a farewell message on its Facebook page: “To all our loyal customers over…

township_crop

Property values soar 31% in Lake Township

Spread the love

Spread the loveCook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi has announced the initial reassessments for residential and commercial properties in Lake Township, marking an important update for property owners. On August 29, Kaegi revealed a 31% increase in the total assessed value, driven by the changing real estate market over the past three years. With reassessments happening…

Overhead view of final minutes of the August 31 Mass in the St. Casimir Chapel celebrating the Transfer of SSC Congregational Leadership. (Photos courtesy of Daina Cyvas)

Sisters of St. Casimir join forces with Immaculate Heart of Mary

Spread the love

Spread the loveAs they have every year, the Sisters of St. Casimir prepared to celebrate the anniversary of their founding at the end of August. But this would be much different than in past years when Summerfests adorned the sprawling grounds of the Motherhouse on Marquette Road. Just as those fests were important to the…

Neighbors

CRRNH_PattiTyznik_102622

Autumn fun right around the corner

Spread the love

Spread the love  There’s a bite in the air and Halloween decorations are on sale everywhere! Time for football and bonfires and curling up with a good book. The days may be getting shorter but there’s still plenty to do. It’s going to be a busy month around the neighborhood this fall so keep a…

CPD Officers, Bryce Crosby and Andrews Zepeda; CPD Sgt. Rudy Vargas; and former Ridge Funeral Home Director Ed Tylka enjoy themselves at the Ridge Funeral Home First Responders Cookout on September 7. (Photos by Kelly White)

Ridge Funeral Home Hosts Appreciation Cookout to Honor First Responders

Spread the love

Spread the love In honor of local heroes, Ridge Funeral Home took time to honor those who dedicate their time and lives to helping others. The funeral home, 6620 W. Archer Avenue, Chicago, hosted a First Responders Appreciation Cookout on September 7 as a thank you to local police officers and firefighters, and all first…

Logo-St Laurence

Football | St. Laurence ‘D’ dominates in shutout of Notre Dame

Spread the love

Spread the loveSt. Laurence coach Adam Nissen was a happy man following the Vikings’ 24-0 shutout victory of Niles Notre Dame, Whether running the ball or dominating the Dons defensively, St. Laurence turned in an impressive performance in the CCL/ESCC crossover on Sept. 13 in Burbank. The Vikings defense allowed just 55 yards of total…

Sandburg senior quarterback Anthony Shelton (seen here in a game this season against St. Rita), threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns in a 63-34 win over Homewood-Flossmoor. Photo by Xavier Sanchez

Football | Sandburg’s Shelton throws for 3 TDs, defense scores twice in win over Homewood-Flossmoor

Spread the love

Spread the loveSandburg quarterback Anthony Shelton threw three touchdown passes, Quinn Durkin scored three times and the Eagles got two TDs from their defense as they rolled to a 63-34 win over Homewood-Flossmoor in a Week 3 Southwest Valley crossover. Shelton, a senior third-year starter, finished 14-of-19 for 283 yards and the three TDs to…

SRP-IMAGE-Logo

Football | Defense keys Argo to win over rival Reavis

Spread the love

Spread the loveIn Argo’s last two meetings against arch-rival Reavis, both of them losses, the Argonauts defense allowed a combined 69 points. Heading into Week 3’s South Suburban Red opener for both teams, Argo vowed things would be different this season. They were, as a stingy, hard-hitting defense helped the Argonauts (3-0, 1-0 South Suburban…

Logo-Lyons

Football | Blocked FG returned for TD sparks Lyons in win over Hinsdale Central

Spread the love

Spread the loveLyons’ special teams lived up to its name in a Week 3 victory over longtime rival Hinsdale Central in the West Suburban Silver-opener for both teams. On a 40-yard field goal attempt by the Red Devils in the second quarter, Lions senior Ryan Gertsmeier blocked the kick and senior Mack Long scooped up…

Logo-St. Rita

Football | St. Rita scores late to top Brother Rice in defensive struggle

Spread the love

Spread the loveSt. Rita junior quarterback Steven Armbruster gained valuable experience on varsity last season, appearing in five games as the Mustangs backup signal-caller.  This season, Armbruster is the unquestioned starter, and in a 14-7 victory over Brother Rice on Sept. 13 he proved he’s ready for the spotlight. Armbruster’s 80-yard scoring connection with junior…

Great Lakes Beer and Bourbon has closed its doors in Palos Park. (Photo by Steve Neuhaus)

Comings & Goings: Great Lakes Beer and Bourbon closes

Spread the love

Spread the loveGreat Lakes Beer and Bourbon abruptly closed its doors earlier this month in Palos Park after being open since last summer. The pub at 12900 S. LaGrange Road in Palos Park closed September 3 with little warning. The business posted a farewell message on its Facebook page: “To all our loyal customers over…

township_crop

Property values soar 31% in Lake Township

Spread the love

Spread the loveCook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi has announced the initial reassessments for residential and commercial properties in Lake Township, marking an important update for property owners. On August 29, Kaegi revealed a 31% increase in the total assessed value, driven by the changing real estate market over the past three years. With reassessments happening…

Overhead view of final minutes of the August 31 Mass in the St. Casimir Chapel celebrating the Transfer of SSC Congregational Leadership. (Photos courtesy of Daina Cyvas)

Sisters of St. Casimir join forces with Immaculate Heart of Mary

Spread the love

Spread the loveAs they have every year, the Sisters of St. Casimir prepared to celebrate the anniversary of their founding at the end of August. But this would be much different than in past years when Summerfests adorned the sprawling grounds of the Motherhouse on Marquette Road. Just as those fests were important to the…