Chicago Cop Charged In Alleged DUI Related Fatality

Our Chicago DUI Attorneys once again are saddened to learn of another Chicago DUI related fatality. This time, it is alleged that an off-duty Chicago Cop may have been driving under the influence just before causing a crash that killed two people.

The breaking report follows below:

Off-duty cop charged in deadly crash

April 11, 2009 12:36 AM

The passersby pulled on and pried at the crushed and burning vehicle’s doors, trying to no avail to save the trapped motorists inside.

But a second driver who caused the fatal wreck walked away from the chaotic scene onto an expressway ramp, until a tow-truck driver and police officers stopped him, authorities said.

Now that driver, an off-duty Chicago police detective — who sources say was drunk with a blood alcohol content three times the legal threshold — is facing reckless homicide, DUI and other charges.

Joseph Frugoli, 41, slammed into a disabled car on the Dan Ryan Expressway early Friday, igniting the fiery crash that killed two people, authorities said. Frugoli is in police custody at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was being treated for injuries from the crash.

Andrew Cazares, 23, of the 7700 block of West 62nd Place in southwest suburban Summit and Fausto Manzera, 21, of Chicago died on impact, state police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.

The crash occurred a little after 3:35 a.m. north of 18th Street on the southbound Dan Ryan Expressway. Cazares apparently had pulled his red Dodge over to the side of the Dan Ryan, possibly to deal with a flat tire, when the vehicle was struck from the rear by a Lexus SUV, state police said.

Frugoli was charged Friday evening with two counts each of reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence and one count of leaving the scene of a crash involving death, said Sally Daly, spokeswoman for State’s Atty. Anita Alvarez. Frugoli is expected in Bond Court Saturday.

The Chicago Police Department said it has launched an internal investigation and has relieved the detective of his police powers. Frugoli, an 18-year veteran, worked in the Wentworth Area on the South Side.

The Law Offices of James E. Fabbrini have years of experience protecting people charged with DUI. From first time DUI offenders to felony DUI, our Chicago DUI lawyers have successfully fought DUI charges in Chicago and the surrounding areas.

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