Thrice deported man gets 20 years for fatal McHenry Co. DUI

Federal immigration authorities kicked Eulalio Haro out of the country three times, and he kept coming back.

Now he has no choice but to stay.

A McHenry County judge sentenced the 37-year-old Mexican immigrant Wednesday to 20 years in prison for killing a Crystal Lake motorcyclist in a 2006 hit-and-run crash blamed on drunken driving.

The sentence comes about 15 years after Haro was sent to an Illinois prison after killing his own brother in another DUI-related crash, a sentence that led to the first of three deportations for Haro between 1995 and 2006. In between the death of his brother and the 2006 crash, Haro received two other DUI convictions during his return trips to the United States.

"It's striking because after having evidentially caused the death of his brother, Antonio, through the abuse of alcohol, (Haro) was not motivated to stop drinking," Judge Joseph Condon said. "The defendant is a danger to the public because he has not stopped drinking and driving and there is little or no reason to conclude he will in the future."

A jury convicted Haro earlier this year of reckless homicide, aggravated DUI and failure to report a crash resulting in a death in connection with the June 24, 2006, crash that killed 71-year-old Dean Knospe.

A toxicologist testified during a trial that Haro likely had a blood-alcohol level of .35 percent - more than four times the legal limit - when his car swerved into oncoming traffic on Route 14 near Woodstock and collided with Knospe's motorcycle. Haro then sped away from the crash scene, but was arrested at his Woodstock home the next day, authorities said, with evidence of alcohol still in his system.

Knospe's daughter described her father in court as "not your typical senior", saying he enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, helping with renovations projects at her home and volunteering at a local animal shelter.

"He was an honest, hardworking man who took great pride in everything he accomplished," Barbara Knospe said. "If (Haro) could have learned from his mistakes, my father would still be here."

In a brief statement to the court, Haro offered condolences to Knospe's family, but maintained he was not drunk when the crash occurred.

"I didn't ask for any of this to happen," he said. "I was not drunk. I was just scared. None of this would have happened if I had just stopped."

County prosecutors asked for the maximum 28-year sentence, saying that if anyone deserved it, it is a two-time offender like Haro.

"Everything about the character, attitude and criminal background of this defendant shows that he is a drunken menace," Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Michael Combs said. "He has complete disregard for the value of human life."

Under state law, Haro could be eligible for parole in about 12 years, at which time he likely will face his fourth deportation to his native country.