On Tuesday, Aug. 24, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael Ruth announced that bond had been set for a Cicero woman accused of crashing her car in a construction zone in a residential area causing the death of her fiancé, 33-year-old Andrew Lewis.
Alibet Mendoza, 33, of the 1500 block of S. Austin in Cicero, appeared before Judge Margaret O’Connell, who set bond at $500,000 with 10% to apply. Mendoza is charged with four counts of Aggravated DUI – Accident Causing Death (Class 2 Felony), one count of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony) and several Misdemeanor traffic offenses.
On Saturday, Aug. 21, at approximately 1:53 a.m., Elmhurst police officers were dispatched to a single vehicle crash in the area of Van Auken and North End Sts. Upon arrival officers observed a damaged 2016 Chevrolet Traverse that had struck a tree.
The front seat passenger, later identified as Lewis, was found in the vehicle unconscious and was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased as a result of the injuries sustained in the crash.
It is alleged that Mendoza was driving the vehicle when she crashed into a gravel pit, struck a dumpster and then rolled down the gravel pit ultimately striking the tree where the vehicle was found. It is further alleged that Mendoza’s blood alcohol content (BAC) at the time of the crash was .176 (legal limit is .08) and that Mendoza had illegal narcotics in her system including benzodiazepines, cocaine, cannabis, and opiates. In such cases, an attorney could have been contacted on the spot. To know more about a defense attorney, you can check out this page or related.
“Like all alleged DUI cases, the case against Ms. Mendoza was 100% avoidable,” Berlin said. “As I have said many times before, if you have been drinking or for any other reason are not able to safely operate a motor vehicle, do not drive. It is a very simple idea and that is what makes cases such as this so frustrating. The tragic death of Andrew Lewis and so many other DUI victims did not have to happen. With a variety of ride-sharing services available, people have to think of the potential consequences of getting behind the wheel and not think they are all right to drive.
“I would like to thank the Elmhurst Police Department for their efforts in this case.”
Mendoza’s next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 20, for arraignment in front of Judge O’Connell.
Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are not proof of the defendant’s guilt.
