Man Convicted In DUI Crash That Caused Victim Paralysis At Large

AURORA, IL — A 32-year-old man's no-show court hearing still ended in prison time after he was found guilty of an aggravated DUI causing great bodily harm in a previous trial. Jesus Diaz-Garcia was sentenced to 6 years behind bars.

Kane County Assistant State's Attorneys said Diaz-Garcia was driving on Illinois Route 31 on the night of April 22, 2017, when his vehicle crossed the center line and hit an oncoming car. The driver of the oncoming car suffered permanent paralysis as a result of the crash, prosecutors said. Further investigation revealed Diaz-Garcia was under the influence of alcohol at the time, but police did not specify what his blood alcohol level was.

A DUI with great bodily harm is a Class 4 felony. Legally, Diaz-Garcia will have to serve at least 85 percent of the sentence. After he failed to appear at his recent sentencing hearing, a Kane County judge issued a warrant for his arrest.

He has yet to be found.

"This defendant made the choice to drive after drinking an excessive amount of alcohol, caused someone to be paralyzed as a result, yet refuses to account for his criminal conduct," said Kane County Assistant State's Attorney David Belshan in a news release. "He has followed one poor decision with additional poor decisions. Mr. Diaz-Garcia needs to grow up and accept responsibility for his horrific choices."

After his arrest in 2017, Diaz-Garcia posted $5,000 bond and was released. He was present in court for his trial, but did not appear for his sentencing hearing. Police ask anyone with information about his whereabouts to call 911.