A 20-year-old Aurora woman has been charged with Reckless Homicide in connection with the July 24th car crash that claimed the life of 45-year-old Aurora resident Gerardo Cuatzo.
According to the Aurora Police Department, at around 8:40pm on July 24, police and fire personnel were were dispatched to the intersection of East New York Street and North Eola Road, where they found a crash involving four vehicles, one of which was rolled over.
Traffic Crash Investigators determined that the accused, driving a Dodge Challenger westbound on East New York Street, was racing against a motorcycle at speeds exceeding 100 MPH. She made a sudden lane change into the right turn lane toward North Eola Road, struck a curb, and lost control. The vehicle went airborne, colliding with three cars stopped at a red light before rolling over multiple times. Cuatzo, one of the drivers, tragically died at the scene, and two others sustained injuries.
The DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office has authorized charges of Reckless Homicide (2 counts); Aggravated Street Racing; Reckless Driving (2 counts); and various traffic violations.
A warrant for the accused’s arrest was issued on November 11, 2024, and she was taken into custody on November 20. She was released after a pretrial hearing and is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 18, 2024.
“Driving is a privilege, not a right,” said DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin. “The allegations that [the accused] was traveling in excess of 100 miles per hour just seconds before crashing her car into several vehicles, killing Gerardo Cuatzo, are shocking. I offer my sincere condolences to Gerardo’s family and friends. Losing someone suddenly can be devastating to a family and I wish them strength as they continue their lives without the love and support Gerardo once provided.”
