Fatal DUI Crash Lands West Chicago Man 10 Years In Prison

WEST CHICAGO, IL — A West Chicago man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in connection with a fatal DUI crash that killed Jose Correa in 2023. Correa's wife, Maria, was also seriously hurt in the crash.

Jamie Damian, 22, pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges of aggravated DUI causing death and aggravated DUI causing bodily harm. Police say Damian was on cocaine during the crash, which took place on Sept. 14, 2023.

According to the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office, Damian was heading west on Roosevelt around 1:30 p.m. when he veered into the opposite lane and hit a car that was driven by Correa.

Correa and his wife had to be extracted from the car by firefighters following the crash. All three parties were taken to local hospitals. Correa was pronounced dead at the hospital and Maria was treated for bruising and a broken wrist.

“This afternoon, Jaime Damian learned that his decision to drive after he had been using cocaine will cost him the next ten years of his life,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release.

Berlin added, "This cost however, pales in comparison to the price that Jose Correa’s wife, family and friends must now pay with just memories of Jose to comfort them and see them through the rest of their lives. The sad truth is that this tragedy, like all driving-impaired fatalities, was 100% avoidable had Mr. Damian not gotten behind the wheel that afternoon."

An earlier version of this story incorrectly transposed the last names of Correa and Damian. The editor apologizes for this error.