Man Charged with Class 4 Felony After DUI Crash

 Posted on August 20, 2012 in Personal Injury

Pavlo Lulak, 24, is being held on $750,000 bail for the accident that killed 23-year-old Maryina Holovii, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. "Lulak had a blood alcohol level of .207 following the wreck, assistant state's attorney Craig Engebretson" told the Sun-Times. Lulak, Holovii, and six other passengers began their night at a house party where witnesses have reported seeing them drink whiskey, and were on their home, at about 4am, from a North Side dance club when the fatal accident occurred. The young woman who died had been sitting directly behind the driver on another passenger's lap, and the car full of passengers had screamed at Lulak to slow down while he was driving at the excessive speeds that ended up costing Holovii her life. Lulak attempted to cut off an off-duty police officer, but clipped the bumper of the car and then lost control and crashed. He slammed his car "into safety barriers, an then slid along the concrete wall near the Armitage exit ramp in the northbound lanes of I-90," according to the Sun-Times. Lulak has been charged with aggravated DUI involving a death. His .207 blood alcohol level is far above the legal 0.08 limit in Illinois. Illinois has a zero-tolerance policy to drunk driving. Even a first-time offender has his license suspended for three months. The zero-tolerance laws went into effect in the state in 1995. Lulak's charge of an aggravated DUI is a Class 4 felony. He faces punishment of a minimum of one-year loss of driving privileges, an imprisonment that could last anywhere from ten days to 12 years, and a maximum fine of $25,000. These are, of course, state-issued punishments. Holovii's family would, in this case, be entitled to bring a lawsuit against Lulak, which could lead to even more trouble for him. If you or someone you know is facing charges from an accident or seeking compensation for the death of a loved one, seek advice from the professionals. Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer today.