A 58-year-old West Chicago man has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for a hit-and-run incident in 2024 wherein he hit a man on an electric scooter and after drinking and then fleeing the scene.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced Friday that Robert Borchering, who earlier this year entered a plea of guilty to one count of Aggravated DUI – Great Bodily Harm and one count of Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Personal Injury or Death, appeared at his sentencing hearing Thursday afternoon in front of Judge Daniel Guerin, who handed down the sentence.
According to prosecutors, on June 21, 2024, at approximately 4:00pm, deputies with the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office responded to High Lake Road and Sunset Avenue in unincorporated West Chicago for report of a hit and run accident involving a vehicle and an electric scooter. During the investigation, authorities learned that Borchering was traveling westbound on High Lake Road and made a left turn onto southbound Sunset Avenue, turning in front of and striking the scooter with the front passenger side of his vehicle. After striking the scooter, the victim, who was wearing a high visibility vest and helmet, landed on the windshield and later the roof of Borchering’s car.
Instead of stopping to aid the victim, Borchering continued to drive, causing the victim to fall off the car at which time Borchering drove away from the scene. Authorities further learned that prior to the crash, Borchering was driving home from North Avenue Pub where he consumed three pitchers of beer and numerous Fireball shooters.
The victim suffered multiple, serious injuries including fractures to both his right and left legs, his cervical vertebra, his scapula and clavicle on the right shoulder and to multiple ribs.
Deputies went to Borchering’s home where he was arrested. After Borchering refused a breath sample, a search warrant was obtained and five-and-one-half hours later, Borchering’s BAC was .171.
“After an afternoon of drinking, Mr. Borchering crashed his car into a man on an electric scooter, severely injuring him,” Berlin said. “What is particularly upsetting in this case is the fact that after hitting the victim, Mr. Borchering fled the scene without rendering aid or even bothering to call for help. Judge Guerin’s sentence in this case sends a strong message that in DuPage County this type of behavior is unacceptable.”
Judge Guerin sentenced Borchering to eight years in the IDOC to be served at 85% on the Aggravated DUI Great Bodily Harm Charge and three years in the IDOC to be served at 50% on the Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Personal Injury or Death Charge. The sentences will be served consecutively.
