Man Sentenced in Route 47 Fatal Accident

A Darien man was sentenced Thursday to 180 days in Kane County jail and probation in the 2008 traffic deaths of two Elgin residents on Route 47, authorities said.

Gustavo P. Gomez, 48, was sentenced to 30 months probation by 16^th Circuit Court Judge Timothy Q. Sheldon, according to a press release issued by the Kane County State's Attorney's office.

The two victims, Sergio Espinosa, 52, of Elgin and a passenger, Rosalinda Rodriguez, 58, also of Elgin, were headed home from work from the Weber Stephen Products Co. in Huntley, the release stated.

Gomez was convicted in September of two counts reckless homicide and other traffic violations, according to authorities.

He was driving a 2007 semi-truck with an empty trailer northbound on Route 47 when he failed to stop for a red light at the intersection of Oak Creek Parkway, north of Interstate 90.

Espinosa was driving a 2004 Hyundai Elantra in the westbound lane when it was struck, authorities said. He died at the scene. Rodriguez died an hour later at Provena St. Joseph Hospital in Elgin.

Under Illinois law, Gomez was given day-for-day credit for the time he spent in jail prior to trial.