DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick announced today that bond has been set for Christine Brocious, 36 (d.o.b. 11/7/1986) of the 7000 block of Mather Avenue, Chicago Ridge. Brocious is charged with one count of Aggravated DUI Causing Death (Class 2 Felony) and two counts of Aggravated DUI Causing Great Bodily Harm (Class 4 Felony) stemming from a June 29 crash that claimed the life of another motorist, twenty-five-year-old Jorgo Cukali and severely injured Jorgo’s thirty-year-old sister who was a passenger in his vehicle. Brocious appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Daniel Guerin set bond at $1.5 million with 10% to apply.
On June 29, 2023, at approximately 11:30 p.m., DuPage County Sheriff Deputies responded to unincorporated Winfield at Mack and Winfield Roads for a report of a serious crash. Upon their arrival, officers found Jorgo and his sister suffering from severe injuries. Both Jorgo and his sister were immediately transported to a local hospital. On June 30, Jorgo passed away as a result of the injuries he sustained in the crash. His sister is currently hospitalized in a coma. 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. Following her release, Brocious was charged and transported to the DuPage County Jail. Following an investigation into the crash, it is alleged that Brocious was driving her silver 2005 Mazda 6 sedan northbound on Winfield Road when she approached a red light at Mack Road. It is alleged that instead of 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. It is further alleged that Brocious’ blood alcohol content was allegedly .206.
“One week ago, Jorgo Cukali died from injuries he sustained allegedly at the hands of a drunk driver,” Berlin said. “His sister remains in a coma. A devastated family has suffered almost unimaginable loss simply because Christine Brocious allegedly thought she was fine to drive after drinking. Driving is a privilege, not a right. If that privilege is abused however, the consequences can prove deadly, as alleged in this case. With summer upon us, I urge everyone to please be responsible and if you have been drinking, do not get behind the wheel. Call a cab, a ride-sharing service or a friend for a ride home. You’ll be glad you did when you wake up the next morning safely at home and not in jail, the hospital or worse. I offer my sincerest condolences to the Cukali family as they grieve their loss with two young, promising lives having been reduced to a drunk driving statistic. I thank DuPage County Sheriff Mendrick and his office for their outstanding work on this very sad case as well as Assistant State’s Attorneys Helen Kapas, Bethany Jackson and Michael Pingaj for their efforts in preparing a strong case against the defendant.”
“This is another tragic example of the outcome when one drinks and drives,” 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.”
Brocious’ next court appearance is scheduled for August 10, 2023, for arraignment in front of Judge Guerin.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
NOTE: Nastika Cukali, 30, passed away a short time ago, AFTER THE COURT HEARING THIS MORNING, due to injuries sustained in the crash. Additional Charges will be added when the case is presented to the Grand Jury.
Source: Dupage County
