A Zion man whose car plowed into another vehicle on his wedding day, killing a woman and her infant, was sentenced Tuesday in Lake County to eight years in prison.
Jarelle Brown, 30, had pleaded guilty to aggravated DUI in the deaths of Cecelia Gutierrez-Ramos, and her eight-month-old son, Angel Ramirez, on Oct. 29, 2022, in Waukegan.
Brown had marijuana in his system at the time of the crash, which happened on the day Brown was supposed to have been married.
“What was supposed to be the happiest day of my life turned out to be the worst,” Brown said to Judge George Strickland before sentencing.
Authorities said the SUV Brown was driving was going about 80 mph on North Green Bay Road when it struck the other car, which was pulling out of a parking lot near the Atlantic Avenue intersection.
The judge said the speed at which Brown was driving made the accident “profoundly reckless.”
“I’m unsurprised that an accident like this took place,” Strickland said.
The judge also disputed Brown’s contention that he was driving at about 40 mph at the time of the crash. Video of the wreck showed Brown was “visibly and obviously” driving much faster, Strickland said. The speed limit on that stretch of Green Bay Road is 45 mph, according to testimony.
Lake County prosecutors asked for a 10-year term, and Brown’s public defender said a six-year term was more appropriate. Brown must serve 85% of the sentence, minus time already spent in the county jail.
“This was a heartbreaking case. We hope today’s sentence brings some peace to the family of the victims and allows them to continue healing,” State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said.
“Our victim specialists will continue to support them as they move forward,” he said. “Our office will continue to hold accountable those who choose to endanger others by driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.”
