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.”