Addison Man Sentenced to 4 Years for March 2004 Aggravated DUI

Committed While on Parole for 2001 Reckless Homicide that Killed his 16 Year Old Friend

DuPage County State’s Attorney Joseph E. Birkett announced today that Alfredo Salazar, 20 (d.o.b. 5/4/84), of 127 Rozanne in Addison was sentenced this morning to four (4) years in prison following a blind plea of guilty to an Aggravated DUI that occurred in Addison on March 6, 2004. At the time this offense occurred, Salazar had been on parole for a Reckless Homicide that had resulted in the death of his 16 year old friend. In sentencing Salazar, Judge George Bakalis noted the fact that Salazar was not of legal age to consume alcohol and that he was on parole for Reckless Homicide at the time the Aggravated DUI was committed. Judge Bakalis further stated that Salazar should have known that his conduct, that being drinking and driving, could have caused or threatened serious harm based on the consequences of his earlier Reckless Homicide. Nevertheless, Salazar got behind the wheel of a car after drinking alcohol.

Assistant State’s Attorney Kevin Halverson in court today depicted that on March 6, 2004, two (2) Addison Police Officers came upon Salazar’s car that was parked on the side of Highview Road in a residential neighborhood in Addison. He was asleep and the engine was running. Officers woke him up and subsequently arrested him for Driving While License Revoked, a Class A Misdemeanor. Assistant State’s Attorney Halverson further stated that during the course of this arrest, officers believed that Salazar was under the influence of alcohol. The defendant submitted to a breathalyzer test which revealed a blood alcohol level of .14, nearly twice the legal limit. Police and prosecutors quickly learned that Salazar was on parole for Reckless Homicide, and had been sentenced to three (3) years in prison. Consequently, charges were upgraded to a Felony, that being Aggravated DUI.

This morning, Salazar pleaded guilty to one (1) count of Aggravated DUI and one (1) count of Driving While License Revoked. During the sentencing hearing that followed the plea, the state presented a witness, that being an Addison Police Officer, who provided the court with factual testimony regarding Salazar’s previous conviction of Reckless Homicide.

The officer testified that in the early morning hours of March 13, 2001, she observed the crash that resulted in the death of Salazar’s 16 year old friend Peter Balderas. Balderas had been the passenger in Salazar’s vehicle. The officer further testified that Salazar had been driving at a high rate of speed and entered the intersection of Mill Road and Lake Street against a red light. While crossing the intersection, Salazar’s car hit a southbound sport utility vehicle. Salazar’s vehicle was subsequently wrapped around a tree, resulting in the death of his 16 year old passenger. The driver of the other vehicle was taken to a nearby hospital where he was treated and released. The officer further revealed that Salazar’s blood alcohol level that evening had been .18, more than twice the legal limit.

At the conclusion of today’s sentencing hearing, Judge Bakalis sentenced Salazar to four (4) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

"This defendant took a life and yet re-offended by driving drunk again," commented State’s Attorney Birkett. "Sadly, the only way to protect the public from people like him is to lock them up."