Rockford man gets seven years for role in deadly ATV crash

Written by the Rockford Register Star

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

ROCKFORD — A 23-year-old Rockford man was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison Monday stemming from his role in a fatal all-terrain vehicle crash in October 2007.

According to the Winnebago County state’s attorney’s office, Felipe Gelacio was found guilty of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol after he admitted to drinking a large amount of beer and driving his ATV to Searls Park with passenger Beverly Gorrell, 19, of Machesney Park.

Gelacio struck a tree, and Gorrell was thrown from the vehicle. She died of head injuries at the scene.

Gelacio was driving his ATV on a suspended license at that time due to a pending DUI charge from August 2007, the state’s attorney’s office reported in a news release issued Wednesday afternoon.

According to state law, Gelacio will serve 85 percent of his sentence.

Source: http://www.rrstar.com/news/x596340268/Rockford-man-gets-seven-years-for-role-in-deadly-ATV-crash

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