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Trucker convicted in 2014 fatal Illinois Tollway crash

Posted February 25, 2015 10:00 pm

The Associated Press

WHEATON, Ill. (AP) - A suburban Chicago judge has convicted a truck driver on several felony charges filed in connection with a crash that killed an Illinois Tollway worker and injured a state trooper.

DuPage County Circuit Judge Robert Kleeman on Thursday found Renato V. Velasquez guilty of operating a commercial vehicle in a fatigued state, failing to comply with hours of service requirements, driving too fast for conditions and failure to yield to emergency vehicles.

The January 2014 crash on Interstate 88 near Aurora, killed maintenance worker Vincent Petrella and critically injured Trooper Douglas Balder. The two were helping a disabled truck at the time.

DuPage County prosecutors say the 47-year-old Velasquez faces one to three years in prison, or probation when sentenced. No date has been set.

Velasquez remains free until sentencing.

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