Round Lake Beach Man Sentenced In DUI Crash That Killed 2

LAKE COUNTY, IL — A 30-year-old Round Lake Beach man has been sentenced to ten years in prison for is role in causing a crash that killed two people in 2020.

Jose S. Aguirre was convicted on nine counts of aggravated DUI following a jury trial in June. Last week, a Lake County judge sentenced him to the prison time in connection with the Sept. 27, 2020, collision that killed two passengers in Aguirre's car, Juan Renteria-Becerra, 34, and Edgar Herrera, 30.

A third passenger, Jorge Trevino, 32, sustained injuries that are not considered life-threatening, according to a news release from the Lake County State's Attorney's Office.

The collision happened at about 3:20 a.m. after a Round Lake Police Department officer attempted to pull over a Chevy Traverse, which was speeding and then fled the scene. The Chevy reached speeds of 123 mph in a 45-mph zone, police said.

A short time later, the officer found the Chevy, which had crashed in a wooded area near Route 134 and Main Street in Round Lake, according to a news release. Both Renteria-Becerra and Herrera were pronounced dead at the scene.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors asked the judge to sentence Aguirre to 18 years in prison.

“While we are disappointed the sentence was not higher, this prison term sends the correct message that dangerous drivers will be held accountable in Lake County. And we continue to grieve with the victims over this horrific crime," said Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart following the hearing. "We will support them and continue our work with our community partners such as schools, the Health Department, and Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists to increase awareness and save lives. I want to continue to thank our experienced trial team and victim-support professionals for their work and their assistance to the impacted families.”