DUI driver gets 18 years for 107 mph crash that killed 2, injured 5 on Dan Ryan Expressway

A man sentenced to 18 years in prison for fatal DUI crash on Dan Ryan Expressway

A tragic incident on the Dan Ryan Expressway led to the death of two women and injuries to five others, as Marcus Holmes, 41, was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Friday for causing the fatal crash.

Holmes pleaded guilty to two counts of DUI causing a fatal accident and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon with prior convictions, according to court records.

The fatal crash occurred on the inbound lanes of the Dan Ryan Expressway near 47th Street around 10:50 p.m. on January 22, 2023.

Prosecutors revealed that Holmes was driving at a speed of 107 mph when he rear-ended a vehicle driven by Daphene Monroe, 43, resulting in the deaths of Monroe and one of her passengers, Patrice Dean, 44. Two other passengers in Monroe’s car were also injured in the collision.

Furthermore, the impact of the crash caused Monroe’s vehicle to flip onto its side, hitting a good Samaritan and another driver who had stopped to assist, resulting in severe injuries to both individuals. Holmes himself suffered a broken hip and femur in the crash.

At the hospital, a blood test showed that Holmes had a blood alcohol level of 0.215, significantly exceeding the legal limit of 0.08. Additionally, Chicago Fire Department paramedics discovered a loaded handgun on Holmes’ lap while extracting him from the wreckage.

During his court appearance, Holmes was sentenced by Judge Michael Clancy to 18 years for each DUI count and 14 years for the firearm charge, to be served concurrently. He was credited with 859 days towards his sentence for the time spent wearing an ankle monitor during the case proceedings.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of driving under the influence and the importance of responsible behavior on the road to prevent such senseless tragedies.