Six years for driver in crash that killed Lindenhurst man
A Wisconsin man accused of driving under the influence of prescription drugs and causing car crash one year ago that killed Lindenhurst man was sentenced Tuesday to six years in prison.
Kenneth F. Szczesny Jr., 29, of Kenosha, pleaded guilty in October to aggravated driving under the influence causing death and was facing up to 14 years in prison at Tuesday's sentencing hearing in front of Lake County Judge George Bridges.
Other charges against Szczesny, including reckless homicide, were dropped in exchange for the plea agreement, said prosecutor Danielle Pascucci.
Authorities say Szczesny was driving a pickup truck on Route 120 near Lakemoor on Nov. 25, 2014, when he crossed the centerline and struck a Honda Accord driven by Gordon Searle, 46, of Lindenhurst.
Searle, who died at the scene as a result of multiple injuries, was on his way to a funeral, where he was expected to give a speech about a deceased friend, Pascucci said.
She said Szczesny admitted to taking the prescription drugs Soma and Norco two hours before the 9:30 a.m. crash.
Pascucci asked sought a seven-year prison term for Szczesny, while his defense requested three to four years behind bars for him.