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Teen Pleads Guilty to DUI Crash That Killed Sleeping Woman

A southwest suburban teen pleaded guilty Friday to DUI for a crash last November that killed his sleeping neighbor when he slammed an SUV into an apartment building.

Luis V. Benito, 17, of 307 Woodcreek Dr. in Bolingbrook pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated DUI, a release from the Will County State’s Attorney’s office said.

Benito faces between three and 14 years in prison when he is sentenced March 12 by Circuit Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak, the release said. He had been held on $1 million bond since Nov. 15.

The victim, Josefina Prospero, and her husband were asleep in bed when Benito crashed his SUV through the wall of their apartment in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2010.

Prospero, pinned beneath the wheel of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene, the release said. Her husband, who was sleeping closer to the wall, was unharmed.

Benito’s blood-alcohol level was .204 at the time of the crash, more than twice the legal limit, prosecutors said.

“Luis Benito’s callous decision to drive while drunk resulted in the tragic death of an innocent woman who should have been safe while she slept in her own bed, Will County State’s Atty. James Glasgow said in the release.

“This horrific crash killed Josefina Prospero, and we will be seeking a significant prison term,” he said.

Under Illinois law, a prison sentence will be imposed unless the judge determines extraordinary circumstances existed that require Benito to be placed on probation, the release said.

Copyright SunTimes

First Published: Jan 7, 2011 11:43 PM CST

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