Chicago Ridge Woman Handed 21-Year Sentence After Copping Plea To DUI in 2023 Crash That Killed Siblings
WHEATON – A Chicago Ridge woman was handed a 21-year-sentence from a DuPage County judge after copping a plea for a DUI crash in unincorporated Winfield, that claimed the lives of two siblings in 2023.
In September, Christine Brocious, 39, entered a plea of guilty to aggravated DUI causing death, a Class 2 Felony, in front of Judge Daniel Guerin. Brocious. She has been in the custody of the
During the late evening hours of June 29, 2023, DuPage County Sheriff;s deputies responded to a report of a serious crash at the intersection of Mack Road and Winfield Road in unincorporated Winfield. When they arrived, they found a gravely injured Jorgo Cukali, 25, and his 30-year-old sister, Nastika Cukail. Both siblings, along with Brocious, were immediately transported to a local hospital.
Jorgo died the next day of injuries in the crash. Nastika died of her injuries several days later, prosecutors said.
After her release from the hospital, Brocious was arrested and transported to DuPage County Jail. Following an investigation into the crash, authorities learned that Brocious was driving her silver 2005 Mazda 6, northbound on Winfield Road when she approached a red light on at Mack Road.
Instead of stopping, prosecutors said Brocious maneuvered her vehicle between two other vehicles stopped at the light, when she ran the red light and t-boned Cukali's vehicle. At the time of the crash, authorities said Brocious' blood alcohol content was .206.
At her sentencing Monday, DuPage County assistant state's attorneys had asked for 28 years, the maximum sentence available under the law.
DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement that Brocious had no business getting behind the wheel that night in June 2023.
"Her actions were beyond reckless and cost two innocent people, brother and sister, Jorgo and Nastika Cukali, their lives," Berlin said. "Her decision to drive that evening also destroyed the lives of Jorgo's and Nastika's family and friends. Jorgo and Nastika, and the love they once provided, are gone forever, never to be replaced."
Brocious will be required to serve 85 percent of her 21-year sentence in the
