Elmhurst man gets nine years for sixth DUI
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An Elmhurst man described by prosecutors as “absolutely hammered” when he racked up his sixth DUI was sentenced Thursday to nine years in prison.
Mike Stojanovich, 51, must serve at least half the term imposed by DuPage County Judge Daniel Guerin.
Stojanovich pleaded guilty in September to aggravated driving under the influence, his sixth drunken driving conviction since 1990.
As a result, he faced a mandatory prison sentence of between six and 30 years.
“The defendant cannot continue to be out there driving,” Guerin said. “He’s a danger to everybody on the street.”
In his latest case, Stojanovich rear-ended a car at St. Charles Road and Sturges Parkway in Elmhurst about 7:20 p.m. Dec. 2, 2010, Assistant State’s Attorney Jae Kwon said.
Stojanovich fled but was stopped a short time later after police noticed damage to the 2000 Honda Civic he was driving. The defendant, who admitted drinking at least one bottle of vodka, was unable to walk and had to be taken to a hospital, where he registered a blood-alcohol level of .30, more than three times the legal threshold for driving.
“The defendant was absolutely hammered,” Kwon said.
Guerin noted that despite years of drunken driving convictions, residential treatment and counseling, Stojanovich continued to drink and drive.
He said Stojanovich was convicted of DUIs in 1990, 1992, 1997, 2006 and 2009, including two cases in Florida, yet none of the convictions were felony offenses and the defendant never went to prison.
“He’s been given the opportunity (for change) with pretty much every sentence he’s had,” Guerin said.
Stojanovich declined to make a statement in court. But his attorney, D.J. Tegeler, said he took responsibility by admitting his guilt and has “attempted to address his alcohol issues.”
“He intends to lead a productive life after he serves his sentence,” Tegeler said.
Stojanovich received credit toward his prison term for nearly a year served in the county jail. By law, he must serve at least four and a half years.
