An Elgin man was sentenced Thursday to five and a half years in prison in connection with a fatal DUI crash in 2017.

According to a news release from Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser’s office, Joshua A. Hernandez, 23, of the 900 block of Hillcrest Road, pleaded guilty on September 10, 2020 to aggravated DUI causing death and aggravated DUI causing great bodily harm, both felonies.

The release states that Hernandez was driving a 1993 Honda south on North State Street in Elgin with Stephanie Gordon, 25, as a front seat passenger. The Honda crossed the center line near Wing Street, hitting an oncoming Mercury. The Mercury hit the passenger side of the Honda, killing Gordon and seriously injuring Hernandez. The driver of the Mercury was also injured.

An investigation revealed that there was a case of beer in Hernandez’s car, and that his blood-alcohol level was .118, and that he was also going at least 61 mph in a 30 mph zone, the release stated.

In accordance with Illinois law, Hernandez must serve at least 85% of the sentence. He did not receive any credit for days served in the Kane County jail.

“This crash occurred nearly four years ago, and I want to thank Stephanie Gordon’s family for their patience and graciousness as this case was pending, particularly in light of Mr. Hernandez’s lack of remorse and failure to apologize for his criminal behavior. My thanks to Officers Larry Jenco and Ron Spejcher, and everyone from the Elgin Police Department who assisted in this investigation,” stated Kane County First Assistant State’s Attorney Christine Bayer, who worked on the case.