Highland Park Man Accused Of DUI In Fatal Fourth Of July Crash

WAUKEGAN, IL — A Highland Park man accused of driving under the influence of alcohol during a fatal Fourth of July crash has been charged with DUI (alcohol), reckless homicide, and a number of traffic offenses, police said, according to Lake and McHenry County Scanner. Rudi S. Orihuela, 22, was reportedly driving a 2008 Black Ford Fusion eastbound on Bonnie Brook Lane and Lewis Avenue at a high speed rate when he is said to have lost control of the car and hit a tree, Waukegan Police Commander Joe Florip said, according to the news report. The news source added that Orihuela's front seat passenger, a North Chicago man in his 20s, was killed in the crash, according to police, although both men were reportedly wearing seat belts.

The Waukegan Police Department responded to a call around 10:45 p.m. Thursday for the serious single-vehicle crash at that location, the news report said. Orihuela was taken to the hospital but was released into police custody after being treated for what officials said were moderate injuries, according to the news report. The male passenger was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Orihuela's bond was set by a judge at $200,000, and he posted 10 percent before being released from the Lake County Jail until an upcoming court date, according to the news report. Investigators believe that both speed and alcohol are the main contributors to the crash, Florip said, and the crash is still being investigated by the police department's traffic division and the Lake County Coroner's Office.