Joliet man found guilty of aggravated DUI for striking pedestrian who was lying in the street

February 13

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that a Joliet man has been found guilty of aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol after he struck and killed a pedestrian in July 2011.

Vincent E. Borgic, who was 59 at the time of the collision and is now 61, faces up to 14 years in prison when he is sentenced on April 25 by Circuit Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak. Judge Bertani-Tomczak found him guilty at the conclusion of a bench trial that included testimony from roughly 20 witnesses.

Borgic, of 201 Logan Avenue, ran over Scott Zolecki on July 13, 2011 in the 1100 block of East Washington Street in Joliet. Zolecki was intoxicated and lying in the street when he was struck.

Borgic, who admitted coming from a bar, told police he never saw the victim before running him over with his Dodge Challenger at about 10:30 p.m. that night and that he had no idea what happened.

Civilian witnesses, however, testified at trial that other drivers avoided hitting Zolecki while he was in the street. Witnesses also reported that Borgic got out of his car and smoked a cigarette but made no attempt to help Zolecki.

The victim was rushed to Silver Cross Hospital and was later transferred to Loyola Medical Center, where he died on July 14, 2011. His death was determined to be related to head injuries he suffered, and blood from his head was found on the underside of Borgic’s Challenger.

While he showed no concern for the victim, Borgic stated in the presence of police and civilian witnesses that there had better be no damage to his vehicle. The defendant refused field sobriety tests and a breathalyzer, but a blood standard provided later at the hospital revealed a blood-alcohol level of .208.

State’s Attorney Glasgow thanked prosecutors Frank Byers and Andrew Kramer for securing a conviction that will take a dangerous drunken driver off our streets. The State’s Attorney also credited Joliet Police for placing the defendant in front of a squad car with video recording equipment during the scene investigation, which contributed greatly to the strength of the case.