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St. Charles man pleads guilty to killing woman in 'heroin-fueled' DUI crash

A St. Charles man pleaded guilty Wednesday to a fatal "heroin-fueled" DUI crash that occurred Thanksgiving weekend last year, officials said.

Joshua E. Spudich, 24, of the 400 block of South Second Street, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for driving under the influence of heroin, according to a news release from the Kane County state's attorney's office.

At about 2 p.m. Nov. 28, 2014, Spudich was driving south on Route 31 near Timbers Trail in St. Charles when he crossed the centerline and crashed into a northbound car driven by Susan Gorecki, 65, of St. Charles, officials said.

Gorecki was taken to an area hospital, where she died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Before the crash, Spudich used heroin at a friend's house, he told police. Officials said heroin, marijuana, cocaine, Valium and Xanax were found in a urine sample taken after the accident.

"His selfish decision to take heroin, cocaine and other illegal drugs and then drive - criminal acts by themselves - had violent and deadly results," State's Attorney Joe McMahon said in the news release. "He caused immense pain to many."

Spudich was previously charged with battery, DUI and theft in 2010 and 2011, officials said.

He has been held at the Kane County jail on $1 million bail since his arrest, officials said. He must serve 85 percent of his sentence.

"I hope Susan's family members feel that they have received justice with this sentence," McMahon said.

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