Crystal Lake man gets jail, probation for 2007 DUI crash

A Crystal Lake man whose drunken driving was blamed for a 2007 crash that injured himself and a passenger was sentenced Tuesday to six months in jail.

Ryan J. Uding, 29, of the 8800 block of Alto Vista Lane, also must spend two years on probation, pay a $1,000 fine and perform 200 hours of community service under a sentence handed down by McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather for his aggravated DUI conviction.

Authorities said Uding was driving with a blood-alcohol content of 0.257 percent - more than three times the legal limit - on Feb. 3, 2007, when his car skidded off the 2300 block of Crystal Lake Road in Nunda Township, struck a tree and started on fire.

Passing motorists pulled Uding and his passenger, a 22-year-old Crystal Lake woman, from the burning vehicle and both were taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries.

Uding was charged with felony DUI because, at the time of the crash, he already had two prior DUIs, in 2002 and 2003.

McHenry County prosecutors had been seeking a 31/2-year prison sentence, noting his past criminal record - which also included a felony aggravated battery conviction - and his level of intoxication.

"This is not a case of someone near .08 (the legal limit) or slightly about .08," Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Ryan Blackney said Tuesday. "His blood-alcohol content was extremely high."

As part of his probation, Uding may not drink alcohol for two years and could be placed on electronic monitoring for up to 120 days.