An Illinois man convicted of fatally striking a high school student while driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol in February 2019 has been sentenced to seven years in prison.
Fifty-two-year-old Joseph Kucharski, of Naperville, was sentenced Wednesday to seven years behind bars, according to Dupage County Court records. He previously pleaded guilty to aggravated driving under the influence involving a death and reckless homicide.
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He entered the guilty plea alongside his drunk driving attorney in court in January. Kucharski had faced up to 14 years of prison.
Authorities said Kucharski was under the influence of alcohol, prescription medication and cocaine when he crashed into Elizabeth Dunlap, 17, at the intersection of Grant and Main streets in Downers Grove. Dunlap was a student at the nearby Downers Grove North High School.
Dunlap was transported to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries. However, she succumbed to her wounds three days later, according to the Dupage County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The investigation showed Kucharski was driving north in the southbound lanes of the street and ran a red light at the time of the crash, authorities said. Additional drugs and paraphernalia allegedly were found in the hotel room in which Kucharski had been staying.
Prosecutors had asked Kucharski to be sentenced to a maximum of 14 years in prison. However, the judge sided with Kucharski’s drunk driving attorney and sentenced him to seven years.
Kucharski must serve at least 85% of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
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