Wood Dale Man Charged With DUI In Death Of Step-Daughter: Prosecutors

WOOD DALE, IL — A 45-year-old Wood Dale man faces aggravated drunk driving charges after prosecutors said that he was responsible for a crash this month that caused the death of his stepdaughter.

Juan Moxthe was charged by the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office after the crash, which took place at 2:15 a.m. on Dec. 17. Police said Moxthe, his wife and his stepdaughter, 28-year-old Jaylene Escamilla, were traveling on Irving Park Road near O’Hare Airport when Moxthe suddenly lost control of the vehicle and struck a guardrail, which caused the car to flip.

Jaylene Escamilla was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, and Moxthe was taken to a local hospital to be treated for his injuries. Police said that he had a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.12 two hours after the crash.

A 50-year-old woman, identified as Moxthe's wife, and Escamilla's 30-year-old husband were treated at the scene by paramedics, ABC Chicago reported.

Moxthe was released from the hospital on Dec. 22 and was charged by prosecutors with aggravated drunk driving causing death on Saturday.

“Like all alleged DUI cases, the case against Mr. Moxthe was 100 percent avoidable,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin said. “As I have said many times before, if you have been drinking, do not get behind the wheel of a car. Call a friend, a cab, or use a ride-sharing service to make sure you and your passengers get home safely. I offer my sincerest condolences to Jaylene’s family and friends and wish them strength as they adjust to their new reality of life without Jaylene.”

Moxthe’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 8 for arraignment after a judge approved a motion to detain him before trial. He is being held in the DuPage County Jail.