Man Sentenced For DUI Crash That Killed Decorated Soldier
SKOKIE, Ill. (STMW) - A Northwest Side man was sentenced to six years in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a decorated soldier last year.
Judge Catherine Haberkorn sentenced 24-year-old Matthew Talavera to six years in prison after he pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated DUI, Cook County State's Attorney's office spokesman Andy Conklin said.
Talavera was initially charged with two counts of aggravated DUI and one count of reckless conduct for the crash that killed Richard Smart on Jan. 19, 2010.
Talavera was driving a Dodge Caravan about 2:25 a.m. when he struck a parked Jeep Patriot, causing the minivan to flip at the intersection of Irving Park Road and Laramie Avenue, police said.
Smart, 23, was a front-seat passenger and was ejected from the SUV. An autopsy found he died of multiple injuries and his death was ruled an accident, authorities said.
A police report indicated Talavera had a blood alcohol content of .275 — more than three times the legal limit of .08.
Smart was a Petty Officer 3rd Class, Master of Arms in the U.S. Navy until August 2010, according to Navy spokesman Mike McLellan. He received several awards, the highest being the Navy Achievement Medal.
At the time of the crash, Smart had finished his active duty requirements but was subject to recall and technically a member of the reserves, McLellan said.
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