7-year term for Elgin cocaine tollway chase
A 24-year-old Elk Grove Village man was sentenced to seven years in prison Friday after leading Chicago police on a high-speed chase on the Jane Addams Tollway that ended when he was shot in the chest at the Elgin toll plaza.
Andrzej Wojtkielewicz, of the 900 block of Tennessee Lane, was convicted of aggravated battery to a police officer after a week-plus trial last September.
A jury acquitted him of attempted murder when he drove forward toward officers at the toll plaza on July 14, 2009, after leading police on a chase that topped 100 mph while he threw cocaine out the window of his Mercedes SUV.
Wojtkielewicz could have received an extended term of 14 years based on his past felony record, but Judge David Akemann gave him the maximum term under regular sentencing guidelines. Wojtkielewicz also was fined $5,000.
Kane County Assistant State's Mark Stajdohar argued that a significant sentence was needed to protect society from Wojtkielewicz, who he argued was a drug dealer who has no regard for society's laws.
“Driving a vehicle toward a uniformed officer is inexcusable. That is the defendant's character,” Stajdohar said, arguing that Wojtkielewicz doesn't want to change and refuses to learn. “He made the choice on his own. He doesn't want to work hard. He wants to make money the easy way dealing drugs.”
Wojtkielewicz took the witness stand and apologized for his actions. He said his near death experience from being shot gave him a new outlook on life and he is determined to make the most of it.
“I did learn something from this experience,” he said. “I got a second chance at life. I took everything into consideration and I do want to change my life.”
By law, he can have the sentence halved for good behavior. Wojtkielewicz also will get about 2½ years credit of serving time in the Kane County jail while his case was pending.
He also faces drug charges in Cook County.