Man sentenced to 11 years in prison for leaving scene of drunk driving crash after hitting man on electric scooter

A West Chicago man was sentenced to 11 years in prison Thursday after fleeing the scene of a drunk driving crash with a man on an electric scooter in 2024.

Robert Borchering, 58, pleaded guilty in April to one count each of aggravated DUI and leaving the scene of an accident that took place on June 21, 2024.

According to a news release from the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office, Borchering was traveling westbound on High Lake Road and made a left turn onto southbound Sunset Avenue, turning in front of and striking the scooter with the front passenger side of his vehicle.

The victim, who was wearing a high-visibility vest and helmet, landed on the windshield and later the roof of Borchering’s car.

Authorities say instead of stopping to help the victim, Borchering continued to drive, causing the victim to roll off the car.

The victim suffered multiple serious injuries, including fractures to both his right and left legs, his cervical vertebra, his scapula and clavicle on the right shoulder and to multiple ribs.

According to prosecutors, investigators learned after the crash that Borchering was driving home from North Avenue Pub, where he had consumed three pitchers of beer and numerous Fireball shooters.

DuPage County sheriff’s deputies later arrested Borchering at his home, where he refused a breath sample. After a search warrant was obtained, Borchering’s BAC was .171 nearly six hours later.