Manhattan Man Sentenced to 9 Years for a Fatal DUI Collision

August 8

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James W. Glasgow announced today that Jason R. Rymut, 32, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for causing a drunken driving collision that killed a Manhattan man in 2012.

Rymut, of 24956 S.Clare Circle, Manhattan, slammed his Chevrolet Malibu into the rear bumper of a vehicle driven by Bryan Bulger, 26, while it was idling at a stop sign on August 8, 2012. The force of the impact sent Bulger’s Chevrolet Camaro flying into a third vehicle in the intersection. Bulger suffered masssive head and body injuries that killed him instantly.

Bulger’s girlfriend, who was sitting in the passenger seat of the Camaro, survived with minor injuries. The driver of the third car was uninjured.

Before the impact, Rymut was using his cell phone as he sped down Cedar Road in Manhattan at speeds reaching 86 miles-per-hour, according to a black box recorder in his vehicle. He was traveling 83 miles-per-hour when he struck Bulger’s car.

At Silver Cross hospital, Rymut’s blood was drawn and his blood-alcohol content was .121. Police officers also smelled alcohol on his breath.

Bulger’s father had given him the 1978 Chevrolet Camaro that he was driving the night he died after he had received his Master’s Degree in criminology. Bulger and his father enjoyed working together to restore the vehicle to its original state, according to testimony at Rymut’s sentencing hearing.

Circuit Judge Daniel Rozak announced the sentence after the defendant pleaded guilty to aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol on April 18.

State’s Attorney Glasgow credited prosecutor Jim Long for securing the conviction and sentence.

“Jason Rymut’s decision to drive drunk showed a callous disregard for the safety of other motorists, and his actions cost a young man his life,” Glasgow said. “He should spend his long years in prison contemplating the horrific results of his collision.”