Driver In DUI Crash That Seriously Injured Passenger Gets 7 Years In Prison

AURORA, IL — A year and a half after a passenger was seriously injured in a crash on Mitchell Road in Aurora, the driver, who was intoxicated at the time, was sentenced to 7 years in prison, officials said.

Around 10:40 a.m. Oct. 24, 2021, Daniel Mayen, of the 300 block of Hankes Avenue in Aurora, was driving when he crossed the center line into oncoming traffic and crashed head-on into a car, according to the Kane County State's Attorney's Office.

The passenger in Mayen's car was hospitalized with serious injuries as a result, officials said.

At the time of the crash, the 29-year-old Aurora resident was on probation after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Mayen pleaded guilty on Oct. 20, 2022, to aggravated driving under the influence causing great bodily harm, a felony. In addition to the 7 years for that charge, Judge Elizabeth Flood resentenced Mayen to 7 years in the controlled substance case, Kane County officials said.

The man is required to serve at least 85 percent of his DUI charge, in accordance with Illinois law. He is eligible for day-to-day credit for the drug sentence, officials said.

He received credit for the one day served in Kane County jail.

"This case is a painful reminder that drunken driving happens at any time of any day and that it can have extremely serious consequences," Assistant State's Attorney Katy Flannagan said in a statement. "His choice to drink and drive had permanent consequences for his passenger, the victim in this case."