An Aurora man who lost control of his car while speeding away from a South Side street takeover, leading in a fiery crash that killed three of his passengers, has been sentenced to nine years in prison.
The events that led up to the disaster began about 10:49 p.m. on February 18, 2023, when more than 100 cars gathered for a “sideshow” involving drivers executing stunts near the junction of 95th and Halsted, according to officials. Sideshows, in which drivers of modified vehicles perform donuts in front of huge audiences at important junctions, are a continuing issue in the city.
Chicago police began dispersing the gathering as automobiles raced away from the crossing. Minutes later, a 2008 Infiniti G35 clipped a utility pole and skidded sideways near Halsted and 100th Street, according to a Chicago police report reviewed by CWB Chicago. The car’s passenger side collided with a light pole and a brick wall before erupting into flames.
According to the police report, an officer heard “the sound of a large bang” and saw the G35 engulfed in flames. They witnessed two occupants flee the vehicle, while the driver, Vicente Rodriguez of Aurora, was apprehended about a block away.
Rodriguez, aged 22, has “self-admitted to being the driver” of the flaming car, according to the report. He was rushed to Christ Hospital in serious condition after suffering injuries in the incident. According to the article, the second individual who fled the incident, thought to be the front passenger, was not found immediately.
First responders discovered three males trapped in the flaming car’s rear seat, according to the report. Salvador Garcia, 19, and Jose Manuel Velazquez and Joniel Gutierrez, both 18 and from Aurora, were pronounced dead on the scene.
Despite Rodriguez’s statements on the night of the incident, he was not prosecuted for nearly two years. During an initial court appearance, prosecutors stated that Rodriguez had prior major traffic offenses in neighboring counties, such as fleeing the scene of an accident and DUI.
Rodriguez has pled guilty to three charges of reckless homicide by motor vehicle, according to court records. Judge John Lyke sentenced him to nine years in jail, of which Rodriguez must serve half.