From the State’s Attorney:
CARY MAN WITH DECADES-LONG CRIMINAL HISTORY, INCLUDING TWO ATTEMPT MURDER CONVICTIONS, PLEADS GUILTY TO SIXTH DUI INVOLVING CRASH AND FLIGHT FROM SCENE
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi L. Freese announces that George Gnewuch, 64, of Cary, Illinois, has pleaded guilty to Aggravated Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Sixth or Subsequent Violation, a Class X felony.
Gnewuch is scheduled to be sentenced on December 16, 2026, at 1:30 pm, before the Honorable Judge Salvatore LoPiccolo of Kane County.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred at approximately 6:37 p.m. on December 1, 2025, when Gnewuch was driving a white pickup truck eastbound on Northwest Highway in Crystal Lake.
Gnewuch crossed over the median into the westbound lanes of traffic, striking another vehicle on its driver’s-side door and forcing that vehicle off the roadway.
Despite losing an entire wheel in the collision, Gnewuch continued driving and fled the scene, eventually returning to his residence.
Responding deputies from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office identified the registration of the pickup truck and subsequently located Gnewuch at his home.
Upon making contact with Gnewuch, deputies detected a strong odor of alcohol.
The pickup truck, which was parked in the driveway, had sustained significant front-end damage consistent with the collision.
Further investigation resulted in Gnewuch’s arrest.
Testing following his arrest revealed a blood alcohol concentration of .168, more than twice the legal limit.
Gnewuch’s criminal history includes five prior DUI convictions dating back to 1984, 1985, 1991, 2003, and 2004.
His driver’s license had previously been revoked as a result of his DUI convictions.
Gnewuch also has two prior convictions for Attempted Murder, occurring in 1985 and 1992.
“Five prior DUI convictions. Two prior attempted murder convictions.
“A revoked driver’s license.
“Yet this defendant once again chose to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, placing innocent lives in danger.
“His extensive criminal history demonstrates a decades-long disregard for the law and the safety of others.
“Our office will continue to seek meaningful consequences for repeat offenders who demonstrate, time and again, that they are unwilling to follow the law and respect the safety of our community.”
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office thanks the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office for its investigation and efforts in bringing this case to a successful resolution. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Desiree Sierens.
