Chicago Ridge Woman Held On $1.5M Bond In Connection To Fatal Crash

WHEATON, IL — A 36-year-old Chicago Ridge woman was ordered held on $1.5 million bond on Thursday after being charged with aggravated driving under the influence in connection with a crash near Winfield that claimed the lives of two other people.

Christine Brocious was originally charged with one count of aggravated DUI causing death and two counts of aggravated DUI causing great bodily harm. The charges stem from a June 29 crash in which Jorgo Cukali, 25, was killed that injured his sister, Nastitka Cukali, 30, who was a passenger in his vehicle at the time.

Nastika Cukali had been in a coma since the time of the crash, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said on Thursday. But she died from her injuries shortly after Thursday’s bond hearing, Berlin said. Additional charges will be brought against Brocious once the case is heard by a grand jury, Berlin announced.

The crash took place at 11:30 on June 29 at Mack and Winfield Roads in unincorporated Winfield. DuPage County deputies arrived to find Jorgo and his sister suffering from severe injuries.

Both Jorgo and his sister were immediately transported to a local hospital. Jorgo died one day after the crash as a result of the injuries he sustained in the crash, investigators said.

Brocious and her passenger were both transported to a local hospital for medical attention. Brocious’ passenger was treated and released that evening while Brocious was released from the hospital recently and was charged after her release.

Prosecutors said that Brocious was driving her silver 2005 Mazda 6 sedan north on Winfield Road when she approached a red light at Mack Road. Rather than stopping at the red light, Brocious maneuvered her vehicle between two other vehicles stopped at the light, ran the red light, and t-boned Cukali’s vehicle, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said that Brocious’ blood alcohol content was reportedly .206 at the time of the crash.

“A devastated family has suffered almost unimaginable loss simply because Christine Brocious allegedly thought she was fine to drive after drinking,” Berlin said in a news release. Driving is a privilege, not a right. If that privilege is abused, however, the consequences can prove deadly, as alleged in this case.”

Brocious’ next court appearance is scheduled for August 10 for arraignment.

“This is another tragic example of the outcome when one drinks and drives,” DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick said. “There is zero tolerance for this activity in DuPage County because drunk driving endangers everyone on the roadway. We strictly enforce DUI laws here and will continue to do so.”