Truck driver in fatal I-88 crash could be sentenced April 20
Attorneys for Renato Velasquez of Hanover Park, who was convicted last month in connection with a fiery crash along I-88, have filed a motion requesting the presiding judge in his bench trial reconsider his ruling.
Velasquez was convicted Feb. 26 in connection with the crash on Jan. 27, 2014, near Aurora that killed tollway worker Vincent Petrella of Wheeling and severely injured state Trooper Doug Balder.
DuPage Judge Robert Kleeman found Velasquez, 47, guilty of the felony charges of operating a commercial motor vehicle under the impairment of fatigue, and two counts of failure to comply with hours of service requirements, each of which carries a sentence ranging from probation to three years in prison to be served concurrently.
The judge also found Velasquez guilty of traffic offenses that include one count of failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and failure to yield to stationary emergency vehicles.
Kleeman will consider the motion to reconsider at 1:30 p.m. on April 20. If he denies the motion, Velasquez will immediately be sentenced.