Woman Gets Prison After Fourth DUI, Crystal Lake Crash

MARENGO — A Marengo woman with multiple prior DUI convictions was sentenced to seven years in prison for aggravated driving under the influence, McHenry County authorities announced.

Kathie L. Zaremba, 62, pleaded guilty to the charge in front of Judge Mark Gerhardt on March 17.

Police said Zaremba was stopped on Franks Road in Marengo on March 15, 2024, after her Jeep was reportedly weaving in the roadway. Officers detected signs of intoxication and noted she had at least three previous DUI convictions, which led to an elevated charge of aggravated DUI, a Class 2 felony, according to a news release.

Just days after the arrest, Zaremba was involved in a head-on crash on Huntley Road in Crystal Lake. She was airlifted to a hospital, and police later determined her blood-alcohol level was 0.10. No serious injuries were reported for the other vehicle’s occupants.

No serious injuries were reported for the other vehicle’s occupants, according to authorities.

Prosecutors cited Zaremba’s long history of driving under the influence and repeated violations of court orders, calling her a danger to the community.

“Driving under the influence is a serious and preventable threat to public safety,” McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese said. “Repeated offenders like Ms. Zaremba place countless members of our community at risk.”