Woodstock man gets 3 years probation for fatal 2012 street race
A 21-year-old Woodstock man who left the scene after two teens crashed into a pole and died while street racing in July 2012 recently was sentenced to three years probation.
Daniel L. Huber also served 180 days in jail, must complete 120 hours of public service, submit to drug testing, was fined nearly $4,500 and could be resentenced to up to three years in prison if he violates probation, according to McHenry County court records.
Huber was accused of failing to call 911 and leaving the scene of crash that was the result of a street race July 1, 2012, in the 14200 block of Davis Road.
Alex J. Kaiser and Jacob S. Norys, both 16-year-olds from Woodstock, died when the 2010 Hyundai Elantra they were racing in hit a brick pillar and a tree.
Huber, who was 20 at the time, was arrested about a month later after an extensive investigation by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.
Huber pleaded guilty this summer to two counts of aggravated street racing and obstruction of justice.
In exchange for the plea, the most serious charge of failure to report an accident involving death, was dropped. That charge carried a penalty of anywhere from probation to 15 years in prison.
Huber entered a “cold plea” in which a defendant admits guilt and lets a judge decide the sentence instead of agreeing with prosecutors on a sentence beforehand.
One factor a judge must consider is a defendant’s criminal history. According to court records, Huber was cited numerous times for truancy, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, failure to wear a seat belt and disobeying a stop sign. Huber did not have any previous convictions for felonies or misdemeanors, but was cited for possession/consumption of alcohol in a public place in April 2013 in Woodstock while out on bond for the street racing case.
McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather issued the sentence Friday, records show.
Assistant Public Defender Rick Behof, who represented Huber in the sentencing, was not available for comment Monday.
Assistant State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally could not immediately be reached for comment, nor could family members of victims be reached.