Judge Robert Anderson today found defendant, Mark Shoger, 41 years old, guilty of Reckless Homicide, Aggravated Reckless Homicide, Aggravated Driving Under the Influence of Cocaine, and leaving the scene of an accident involving death to another. This finding was made at the conclusion of a five day bench trial.

These charges arose out of an accident that occurred on April 9, 2004. The victim, Gregory Vasich, 23 years old, of Naperville, Illinois, was driving home on that date from a lecture. At about 2:30 in the morning he entered the intersection of 75th and Naper Boulevard, Naperville, Illinois. He proceeded southbound on a green light. At the same time, the defendant entered the intersection in a westbound direction. The defendant was traveling 50 m.p.h. against the red light in a vehicle with no functioning brakes. A collision with the victim’s vehicle occurred and the victim sustained fatal injuries. After the crash the defendant fled the scene and watched as emergency personnel arrived. He then took a nap in an unlocked vehicle in the area, bought and ate breakfast, and was later arrested about noon that day. The evidence at trial also included the fact that the defendant admitted smoking crack cocaine the night before the accident.

"The defendant’s actions were reprehensible," said State’s Attorney Joe Birkett. "His acts took the life of a young man with a bright future. Today’s verdict hopefully will bring some measure of justice to the victim’s family. This verdict also reinforces the message that drugs and driving are a deadly combination."

State’s Attorney Birkett also praised the excellent work of his Assistant State’s Attorneys Mike Reidy and Tom O’Connor who prosecuted the case. State’s Attorney Birkett also thanks the Naperville Police Department, Naperville Fire Department, and the medical staff at Edward Hospital for their work in the investigation and prosecution of these charges.

The case is scheduled for sentencing on July 15, 2005. He remains in the custody of the DuPage County Jail after his bond was revoked. Defendant faces a possible penitentiary sentence of up to 28 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.