Woman gets 21 years for killing brother, sister in DUI crash

A woman who killed two people in a drunk driving crash was sentenced Monday to 21 years in prison.

Christine Brocious, 39, of Chicago Ridge, killed siblings Jorgo Cukali, 25, and Nastika Cukali, 30, in a 2023 crash at Mack and Winfield roads in Winfield.

“Her actions were beyond reckless and cost two innocent people, brother and sister Jorgo and Nastika Cukali, their lives. Her decision to drive that evening also destroyed the lives of Jorgo’s and Nastika’s family and friends,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release.

Prosecutors had asked for the maximum sentence of 28 years.

Brocious pleaded guilty Sept. 10 to aggravated DUI — causing death.

She has been in custody since July 6, 2023, when a judge set bail at $1.5 million.

According to authorities, around 11:30 p.m. June 29, 2023, Brocious was driving a Mazda 6 sedan north on Winfield approaching a red light. She maneuvered the car between two other vehicles stopped at the light, ran the red and T-boned the Cukalis’ vehicle.

Her blood-alcohol content was .206, more than twice the legal limit.

Jorgo Cukali died the next day. Nastika Cukali died several days later.

Brocious will have to serve nearly 18 years of the sentence before being eligible for parole. She received credit for the more than 2 years she has been in custody.