June 02--A September trial date has been set for a West Chicago man who was reportedly driving under the influence when he crashed into and killed another motorist in a fiery collision in 2014.
Omar Montoya-Medina, 30, will be tried in a bench trial in DuPage County court beginning Sept. 13. Judge Brian Telander, who will hear the trial, set the date at a Wednesday status hearing.
Authorities charged Montoya-Medina, of the 100 block of East Pomeroy Street, with aggravated driving under the influence following a Dec. 5, 2014, crash in West Chicago that killed Antonio Alvarez, 37, of Warrenville.
The collision took place about 11:10 p.m. at Illinois Route 59 and Garys Mill Road. Alvarez was attempting to turn onto Route 59 from Garys Mill when Montoya-Medina, who was driving north on Route 59, struck the Alvarez vehicle.
Police say both vehicles became engulfed in flames and Alvarez, a father of two, was pronounced dead at the scene. Montoya-Medina and a passenger were transported to a hospital and were discharged in the following few days.
According to court files, the police officer who interviewed him at Central DuPage Hospital said Montoya-Medina had bloodshot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol. He tested about double the legal limit for alcohol, according to files, and admitted consuming alcohol before the crash.
Montoya-Medina has been held in the County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail since he was discharged from the hospital.
Clifford Ward is a freelance reporter.
