DUI driver gets 2 years for critically injuring motorcyclist in North Center crash

Chicago — A Lakeview man has been sentenced to two years in prison plus two years of probation for critically injuring a motorcyclist while driving under the influence in 2019.

Frank Menendez, 56, was found guilty of aggravated DUI causing an accident with bodily injury, and failure to report an accident during a court hearing on November 10, according to public records.

Judge Shelley Sutker-Dermer sentenced him to prison for the aggravated DUI and a concurrent two-year probation sentence for the other charge. Menendez’s prison sentence was reduced by 50% for good behavior, and the balance was offset by the time he spent in custody before pleading.

The crash occurred at the intersection of Irving Park Road and Lincoln Avenue around 7:50 p.m. on June 30, 2019.

Police said the driver of a 2001 Jeep Cherokee struck a 31-year-old motorcyclist while making a left turn onto Irving Park Road. The driver ran from the scene, leaving the Jeep and a dog behind.

Investigators located Menendez at his home in the 1600 block of West Byron by tracing the Jeep’s registration information.

Menendez reported to the Stateville Correctional Center on Monday, and he was released later that same day, according to state records.

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