Driver who plowed into CTA bus, killing his passenger, had blood alcohol level 2x the legal limit: prosecutors

A Westchester man’s blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit when he sped through a red light and collided with a CTA bus, killing his passenger, prosecutors said.

Maximino Rivera, 42, remains in a wheelchair due to injuries he suffered in the early morning crash at North and Central avenues around 5:03 a.m. on March 8, officials said.

Prosecutors allege Rivera was driving east on North Avenue in his 2010 Honda Accord when he barreled through a solid red light without slowing, striking a southbound CTA bus.

Maximino Rivera (Chicago Police Department)

Rivera’s passenger, 41-year-old Diandrae Wilborn, was pronounced dead within an hour. Rivera, whose blood alcohol concentration was .161, was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in critical condition, a Chicago police report said. A 59-year-old bus passenger suffered a fractured wrist, but the other six passengers walked away. The bus driver reported leg and back pain.

Rivera recently surrendered to police to face charges of aggravated DUI causing death and aggravated DUI causing bodily harm. Judge Ankur Srivastava released him to await trial after prosecutors opted not to seek detention.

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CWBChicago was created in 2013 by five residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had grown disheartened with inaccurate information that was being provided at local Community Policing (CAPS) meetings. Our coverage area has expanded since then to cover Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and other North Side Areas. But our mission remains unchanged: To provide original public safety reporting with better context and greater detail than mainstream media outlets. Our editorial email address is [email protected]