Streator man drops challenge, will serve 14 years prison

A former Streator man who killed a woman in a drug-related crash has decided not to challenge the 14-year prison sentence he drew after skipping town.

Miguel A. Alvarado, 44, initially planned to challenge his conviction and/or sentence after being captured earlier this year in Texas. He had pleaded guilty three years ago to aggravated DUI for the 2016 crash that killed Alexandria Stevenson, 23, of Ottawa but then went on the lam. In his absence, he was sentenced to the maximum 14 years.

But when Alvarado appeared Wednesday before La Salle County Circuit Judge Cynthia M. Raccuglia, Assistant Public Defender Zach Milus said Alvarado would drop all pending motions.

“Yeah, yeah,” Alvarado said when asked if he intended to halt all challenges.

Members of Stevenson’s family were present in court but did not address the news media.

Stevenson died Aug. 15, 2016, from injuries sustained in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of North 18th Road and Route 23, south of Grand Ridge. Prosecutors filed a felony charge against Alvarado the following year after toxicology results showed he was drug-impaired.

He entered a blind plea in early 2018 but wasn’t seen again until earlier this year when the La Salle County Sheriff’s Office was alerted that Alvarado had been picked up in Webb County, Texas. He was extradited from Laredo and returned to La Salle County custody in late March.

Alvarado listed extensive medical bills in an affidavit of assets and liabilities and appeared to be in poor health during his Wednesday hearing. He trembled extensively and appeared to speak with difficulty.