5th DUI nets 10-year prison sentence

Two weeks after completing an inpatient treatment program, Christopher Prysny said he relapsed into his past bad behavior after life's stresses became overwhelming.

Prysny got behind the wheel of a friend's car after drinking alcohol and crashed at a Downers Grove intersection into a minivan carrying a pregnant woman and her son.

The 37-year-old Willowbrook man apologized Thursday before being sent back to prison for his fifth drunken driving conviction.

DuPage Circuit Judge Perry Thompson sentenced Prysny to 10 years in prison for the June 26 crash in which he had a .205 blood-alcohol level, more than twice the legal threshold of .08.

Prysny faced four to 15 years in prison based on his criminal history. He is eligible for parole after serving half of the prison term.

Prosecutor Michael Pawl said Prysny was paroled last September after serving a 3.5-year prison sentence for his fourth DUI. Prysny successfully completed an intense 90-day inpatient substance abuse program June 10.

But, 16 days later, he chose to drink and drive again.

Maria del Refugio Serna was four months pregnant when she crossed paths with Prysny. She and her 15-year-old son were not seriously injured in the crash, but the pregnant woman told the judge Thursday she was left without a car and still suffers dizzy spells because of a head injury.

"I'm afraid to fall and hurt my (unborn) daughter because I am pregnant," she said through an interpreter. "There is so much depression."

Prysny pleaded guilty on July 22 to aggravated DUI charges. The laborer said he worked hard to remain sober until, about one week before the crash, he became overwhelmed with stress and relapsed.

Prysny pledged to continue working toward his sobriety, and said he's lived with "complete mental torture" knowing his actions harmed others.

"I thank God every day she was OK and there was no permanent injuries," he said.

Despite the defendant's remorse and willingness to accept responsibility for his conduct, Judge Thompson agreed with the prosecution that Prysny remains a danger to the public and has earned the tough prison sentence.