Round Lake man gets court supervision in DUI crash

WOODSTOCK – A 22-year-old Round Lake man convicted of driving with drugs in his system during a head-on crash that fractured another man’s vertebrae received court supervision Tuesday.

Andrew J. Sagel, formerly of McHenry, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge after McHenry County prosecutors determined that lab tests could not prove the amount of cocaine and marijuana that Sagel had in his system during the accident. Defense attorney Jeff Altman argued that authorities had no way of knowing whether Sagel’s substance use influenced his driving.

Sagel was driving south on Lily Lake Road about 9 p.m. Sept. 3, 2006, when his car crossed the center line and struck a northbound vehicle near Lakemoor. Both passengers in the other vehicle were hospitalized.

McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney Phil Hiscock asked Judge Joseph Condon to sentence Sagel to six months in jail and two years of probation. He pointed to a June 2008 incident in which Sagel drove with an open alcohol container.

“Does that sound like something who is trying to be more careful?” Hiscock asked.

Altman asked for court supervision, which means that a conviction would not go on Sagel’s record if he successfully completes the term. Sagel originally was charged with aggravated driving under the influence, which is punishable with probation or one to three years in prison.