No justice for victim in fatal DUI case
On June 2, 2023, Diane Wokurka — a mother, wife and daughter — was killed by admitted drunken driver Armando Selkic, then 22, of Chicago. Selkic was arrested, posted the required amount for his $1 million bail bond and was home sleeping in his own bed before Diane’s family could even gather for her funeral.
Outraged, I emailed DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin, who actually called me and assured me they would doggedly pursue justice.
Justice for Diane turned out to be six months. DuPage County Judge Mia McPherson sentenced Armando Selkic to just six months of jail and four years’ probation for causing Diane’s death; those watching were expecting three to 10 years of jail.
Of course, one’s mind goes immediately to the nationally publicized Tarrant County, Texas, judge Jean Hudson Boyd, who gave only probation to the “affluenza” teen, Ethan Couch, son of wealthy parents, who drunkenly mowed down and killed seven people as they stood near a parked car.
The exceedingly light sentence of one who has foolishly caused the actual death of another human being perpetuates more questions and trivializes the importance of the life squandered, much to the dismay of the family and those watching silently.
Many are dumbfounded when our elected (or appointed) judges appear to favor the best interests of the perpetrator over the hopes and expectations of fairness and justice by those wronged. Hopefully, we as citizens, will remember their names at election time.
Marilyn Syverson Carr
Medinah