Zion-area man sentenced to 90 days in jail for crash that killed Lindenhurst father and his daugther
A judge told a Zion-area man he received an "unbelievable deal" in being sentenced to 90 days in jail and two years' probation for his role in a crash that killed a Lindenhurst man and his teenage daughter.
Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti approved the negotiated plea deal for Christopher Romano, 34, stemming from the Aug. 29, 2015, crash at routes 45 and 132 in Lindenhurst. The sentence was approved by the family of the victims, 50-year-old Chris Winiewicz and his 15-year-old daughter, Haylie.
Technically, Romano was sentenced to 180 days in jail as part of the plea deal between Assistant Lake County State's Attorney Michael Ori and defense attorney Jed Stone. However, half the sentence will be stayed until the end of his parole, then dropped if he meets all requirements. Romano must turn himself in to authorities at the Lake County jail Nov. 20.
He also must perform 200 hours of public service while out of jail and pay about $3,700 in fines. He cannot use illegal drugs or alcohol and is subject to random testing. He cannot communicate with the victims' family.
"Mr. Romano, I cannot tell you how much of an unbelievable deal you received," Rossetti said in court, adding it was "an opportunity of a lifetime."
Ori did not comment on the sentence after leaving court.
Romano officially pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of reckless driving in the crash that killed the father and daughter. Charges of reckless homicide were dropped as part of the plea deal.
If found guilty after a trial, Romano could have been sentenced up to 5 years in prison. Rossetti also could have considered his past driving record - charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and 18 other moving violations - in deciding a prison sentence.
"I don't think Chris was guilty of reckless homicide," Stone said after court. "He was and is remorseful about what happened."
Authorities said Romano drove through a yellow light moments before his Nissan pickup truck slammed into the Winiewicz family's Kia. Ashley Winiewicz, 16, who was driving the car, survived the crash, as did Romano's 25-year-old passenger.
Prosecutors allege Romano accelerated through the yellow light, causing the crash. Stone has argued Chris Winiewicz told his daughter to "go, go, go," enticing the inexperienced driver to cut in front of Romano's vehicle.
Ashley Winiewicz was driving on a learner's permit, legal in Illinois since her father was riding in the passenger seat, authorities said.
Ashley Winiewicz was in court Thursday and read a statement. She said the emotional toll of the crash has caused her family to split. She said she has not spoken with her mother in six months, and has been dealing with emotional and physical turmoil.
She said she has vivid memories of her father suffering in the passenger seat and remembers breaking down when seeing her sister in a coffin.
"Take advantage of your time with your family," she told Romano in court. "Because in order for me to see mine, I have to go to the cemetery."