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Crime & Safety

Aurora Man Gets 7 Years for Fatal DUI Hit-and-Run in North Aurora

An Aurora man has been sentenced to prison for killing a woman and then fleeing the scene while he was driving drunk.

An Aurora man has been sentenced to prison for killing a woman and then fleeing the scene while he was driving drunk.

Lee R. Patterson III, 33 (d.o.b. 2-20-1980), of the 1000 block of Assell Avenue, Aurora, was sentenced today by Circuit Judge James C. Hallock, to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

On Feb. 28, 2013, Patterson pleaded guilty to one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving death, a Class 1 felony, and one count of aggravated DUI, a Class 2 felony.

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At about 2 a.m. Oct. 25, 2010, Patterson was driving a 2004 Dodge Sprinter van when he struck the two victims in the 0-99 block of Grant Street, North Aurora. He then fled the scene. Both victims were taken to an Aurora hospital, where one, 22-year-old Doreen Cardenas of Cicero, died. The other victim, a male now 25 years old, suffered serious injuries including a concussion, a fractured shoulder and injuries to his left knee that required reconstructive surgery and will require knee replacement surgery in the near future. Cardenas and the male were dating companions.

Sometime between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. Oct. 25, Patterson surrendered at the Aurora Police Department and was transported to the North Aurora Police Department, where officers noted an odor of alcohol on his breath. Patterson told police that he had been consuming alcoholic beverages. An analysis of a blood draw taken at 
9 a.m. indicated that Patterson’s blood-alcohol concentration at the time he struck the two victims was between .109 and .182.

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Patterson was sentenced to four years in prison for the leaving the scene of an accident involving death conviction and three years in prison for the aggravated DUI conviction. The terms are to be served consecutively.

According to state law, Patterson is eligible for day-for-day credit for the leaving the scene conviction, and he must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence for the aggravated DUI charge. 

Patterson was given credit for two days served in the Kane County jail. He had been free on $5,000 bond.

“We hope that everyone will see the devastating results from this case and understand why they should choose not to drive a car after they’ve been drinking alcohol. As this case has so sadly and emotionally demonstrated, it’s just not worth the risk,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.

“Mr. Patterson may not have intended to harm anyone when he started his night, but his decision to drink alcohol to the point of impairment and then drive his van led to the tragic consequences for two families and has forever changed the course of his own life. Doreen Cardenas was killed, and Pedro Navarro was seriously injured and continues to suffer from his injuries.

“Our thanks to Sgt. Steve Van Loan and Sgt. Dan Cyko of the North Aurora Police Department for their thorough investigation and solid police work. Thanks also to Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Reagan McGuire and David Belshan, who prosecuted this case.”

SOURCE: Kane County State's Attorney's Office

 

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