MONTGOMERY MAN GETS 13 ½ YEARS IN DRUNK DRIVING FATALITY

WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joseph E. Birkett announced today that Luis Alvarez,    25 (d.o.b. 7/12/1983), of 800 Hill Avenue, Montgomery, was sentenced today to thirteen and one half years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) for a September 2007 drunk driving accident that claimed the life of 51 year-old Debra Atkinson of Lisle. 

Today’s sentence, which was handed down by Judge Perry Thompson, stems from allegations that on September 22, 2007, at approximately 8:10 p.m., the van that Alvarez was driving rear ended a motorcycle driven by William Rezac on Illinois Route 59 near Stimmel Street in West Chicago.  Debra Atkinson was a passenger on the motorcycle.  The crash resulted in Atkinson’s death and severely injured Rezac.  Following the crash, Alvarez abandoned his van several blocks away and fled the state.  On September 28 2007, Alvarez was arrested in Michigan and brought back to Illinoiswhere he was charged with Aggravated DUI - Failure to Stop After Having an Accident Involving Death, a Class 2 Felony punishable by up to fourteen years in the IDOC. 

    “Nearly one year ago, Luis Alvarez’s decision to get behind the wheel after he had been drinking cost Debra Atkinson her life,” remarked Birkett.  “That decision also cost Mr. Alvarez the next thirteen and one half years of his life.  This crash did not have to happen and I believe that Judge Thompson’s sentence demonstrates the seriousness of this crime. Luis Alvarez alone bears the responsibility for what happened that day.  He alone is responsible for the death of Debra Atkinson.”

State’s Attorney Birkett praised the members of the Michigan State Police, the West Chicago Police Department as well as the efforts of Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Pawl for their efforts in the investigation of this matter.

Alvarez will have to serve 85% of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.