From the State’s Attorney:
COURT GRANTS STATE’S ATTORNEY’S PETITION TO DETAIN MAN CHARGED WITH SIXTH DUI AFTER HE LEFT THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese announced today that the Honorable Judge Salvatore LoPiccolo granted the State’s petition to deny pretrial release for George Gnewuch, 64, of Cary, Illinois.
Gnewuch appeared in Initial Appearance Court on January 29, 2026, charged with
- two counts of Aggravated Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol with 5 or more prior violations (Class X felony),
- two counts of Aggravated Driving Under the Influence with a revoked license (Class 4 felony),
- one count of Driving While Revoked with prior violations (Class 4 felony), and
- one count of Leaving the Scene of an Accident (Class A misdemeanor).
Evidence was presented in court this afternoon that at approximately 6:37 pm on December 1, 2025, Gnewuch was driving a white pickup truck traveling eastbound on Northwest Highway in Crystal Lake.
He crossed over the median into the westbound lanes of traffic, striking another vehicle on its driver’s-side door, pushing that vehicle off the roadway.
Despite completely losing one of his wheels in the collision, Gnewuch drove from the scene to his home.
Responding deputies from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office were able to identify the registration of the truck and went to Gnewuch’s home.
Upon contacting Gnewuch, officers detected a strong odor of alcohol.
The truck in the driveway had significant damage to its front-end.
Further investigation resulted in Gnewuch’s arrest.
After he was arrested, Gnewuch’s BAC was found to be .168.
At the hearing, the State presented evidence that Gnewuch had prior DUI convictions in 1984, 1985, 1991, 2003 and 2004.
His license was revoked because of the prior DUI convictions.
The State also provided evidence that Gnewuch was twice convicted of Attempt Murder in 1985 and 1992.
Gnewuch’s next court appearance is scheduled for February 6, 2026.
State’s Attorney Freese noted that, “it’s clear that this is a man who has not learned from his previous convictions.
“He continues to commit crimes, and continues to put lives in our community at risk. We are happy that Judge LoPiccolo has kept this man off our streets.”
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.
