Lesly Guevara Killed in Cicero DUI Accident
A 23-year-old man faces suspected DUI charges following the fatal two-vehicle collision on Ogden Avenue
Lesly Guevara, 25, was killed in a suspected DUI crash on Ogden Avenue at 50th Court in Cicero, Illinois, early Thursday, according to police.
The eastbound vehicle, driven by a 23-year-old man, struck a car entering the intersection around 12:15 a.m. Officers noted the man showed signs of intoxication at the scene and later at Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries and held on suspected DUI charges.
The 25-year-old passenger in the second vehicle, Guevara, was pronounced dead at the scene. The 27-year-old woman driving that car survived, though her condition was not immediately released.
A 20-year-old passenger in the eastbound vehicle, Jonathan Hernandez, was arrested at the scene for allegedly obstructing officers. The West Suburban Major Crimes Task Force is assisting local authorities with the ongoing investigation.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, alcohol-related crashes claimed 294 lives across the state in 2023.
Why did the eastbound vehicle strike the car on Ogden Avenue?
While criminal charges address the state's case against the suspected impaired driver, investigators are also examining the exact sequence of events that led to the fatal impact at 50th Court.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Fatal crashes linked to suspected drunk driving are rarely straightforward criminal investigations. Blood-alcohol testing, crash reconstruction, and thorough witness interviews all shape what the evidence ultimately reveals about roadway conditions and driver behavior."
"An attorney working alongside affected families can coordinate with forensic specialists, push for full disclosure of all investigative findings, and identify coverage gaps that insurers sometimes exploit when liability becomes contested," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, alcohol-related crashes claimed 294 lives across the state in 2023, accounting for 23% of all traffic death.
What are the legal options for the family of Guevara?
The sudden loss of a loved one in a preventable collision leaves families navigating immense grief alongside complex liability frameworks. In cases involving impaired driving, insurance adjusters often attempt to resolve claims quickly before the full extent of damages is understood.
Under Illinois law, the family of a deceased passenger may pursue civil claims against the at-fault driver, entirely separate from any criminal proceedings initiated by the state.
Illinois wrongful death statute
Under 740 ILCS 180, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Illinois applies modified comparative fault (50% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of society, and grief.
"Serving as an advocate, an attorney explains each stage of the wrongful death process in accessible, plain language, keeps surviving relatives fully informed as matters develop, and ensures grieving families never feel alone or unsupported while navigating what lies ahead," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.