Round Lake Man Convicted Of DUI In Double Fatality Crash

ROUND LAKE, IL — A Round Lake man accused of driving drunk at speeds of more than 120 mph before causing a collision that claimed the lives of two passengers in his car has been convicted on several felony charges.

Last week, a Lake County jury found Jose S. Aguirre, 30, guilty on nine counts of aggravated driving while under the influence, which is a class 2 felony.

The charges stem from the Sept. 30, 2020, fatal DUI rollover crash, authorities said.

On that date, authorities say they attempted to pull Aguirre over at about 3:20 a.m. for speeding in Round Lake.

The Chevy Traverse did not stop and reached a speed of 123 mph in a 45-mph zone before authorities terminated the brief chase, according to a news release from the Lake County State's Attorney's Office.

A short time later, the Round Lake Police Department officer found the Chevy Traverse, which had crashed into a wooded area near Route 134 and Main Street in Round Lake, according to a news release.

Two passengers, Juan Renteria-Becerra, 34, and Edgar Herrera, 30, were both pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger, Jorge Trevino, 32, sustained injuries that are not considered life-threatening.

During the trial, jurors heard from an accident reconstruction expert and police officers, who explained how the collision occurred and the physical state of Aguirre at the time of the crash. Aguirre also testified and denied being the driver of the vehicle.

Eyewitnesses also testified to seeing Aguirre get into the driver’s seat and expert witnesses testified that the injuries Aguirre sustained from the crash were consistent with Aguirre being the driver, according to the news release.

A probe into the collision by the Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team determined Aguirre was the driver of the vehicle and was traveling at speeds of more than 110 mph when Aguirre lost control of the vehicle, left the roadway and entered in the wooded area striking several trees and rolling over before coming to a rest on its roof, according to the news release.

An arrest warrant was issued for Aguirre in October 2021, and after avoiding being arrested for over a year, police apprehended Aguirre in late December 2022.

He was held on a $1 million bail prior to his trial. He will remain in custody as he awaits sentencing, prosecutors said.

Aguirre’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 15. He could face up to 28 years in prison.