Geneva Man Pleads Guilty In DUI Crash That Killed Man: DuPage SA

GENEVA, IL — A Geneva man pled guilty in the case of an Aurora drunk driving crash that killed one man and seriously injured another, officials at the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office said.

Nicholas Roepke, of the 0N200 block of Dooley Drive, appeared in court Wednesday afternoon when a judge accepted his guilty plea to one count of aggravated driving under the influence causing death and one count of aggravated DUI causing great bodily harm.

The 30-year-old posted bail — 10 percent of his $500,000 bond, or $50,000 — a year ago, on March 10, 2022, and was released from custody later that day.

That was three days after Aurora police officers responded around 7:40 p.m. to a crash on northbound Eola Road, where they found 73-year-old Willie Mosley suffering from serious injuries. He had been pinned between Roepke's car and a truck, Patch reported.

The Maywood man was immediately taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, officials said.

RELATED: $500K Bond Set For Geneva Man After Deadly Drunken Crash: Police

During an investigation, Aurora police determined two men, including Mosley, had stopped on the side of the road to help someone reload a refrigerator into a pickup truck after it fell out. At the same time, Roepke was driving north on Eola Road Monday evening with one other person in the car when he crashed into the good Samaritans, according to police.

The man in the car with Mosley sustained minor injuries but refused medical treatment. The other man who pulled over to help with the fallen fridge suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Roepke was also hospitalized with minor injuries and was subsequently released to the Aurora Police Department.

At the time of the crash, Roepke was driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.214, almost three times the legal limit of 0.08, Patch reported.

"Just over one year ago, Willie Mosley’s life came to a violent, abrupt end simply because Mr. Roepke, with a stunning disregard for not only his own personal safety, but also the safety of innocent others, got behind the wheel after he had been drinking," State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. "Driving is a privilege, not a right. It is a privilege and a responsibility that if not respected, can lead to tragic, irreversible outcomes, as we saw in this case."

Roepke's next court appearance is scheduled for May 2. He faces up to 14 years at the Illinois Department of Corrections. According to Berlin, he would have to serve 85 percent of his sentence.

"There are no words I can offer to the family and friends of Mr. Mosley that will fill the void caused by his absence," Berlin said. "I can only offer my sincere condolences and wish them strength as they continue their lives without the love and companionship Mr. Mosley provided them. I also wish the individual who was seriously injured in this incident well, as he continues his rehabilitation."