Kathie L. Zaremba, 62, of Marengo, Illinois, was sentenced on May 20 to twelve and a half years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for aggravated driving under the influence, according to McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi L. Freese.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about repeat DUI offenses and public safety in McHenry County. Authorities say Zaremba had at least five prior DUI convictions before this latest incident.
The charges followed a crash on January 4 when members of the Marengo Fire Department observed a yellow Hummer cross into oncoming traffic, enter a ditch, and strike a water shut-off pipe before coming to rest in a Taco Bell parking lot. Responding Marengo Police Officer Rzotkiewicz reported detecting alcohol odor from Zaremba and observed signs of impairment including red eyes and slurred speech. A blood test later showed her blood alcohol concentration was .150—nearly twice the legal limit.
Zaremba pleaded guilty before Judge Mark Gerhardt. She was previously sentenced in March to seven years in prison for another DUI case earlier this year. Under Illinois law, a sixth DUI offense is classified as a Class X felony with sentencing ranging from six to thirty years in prison; following her release she will serve three years of mandatory supervised release.
Freese said: “Enough is enough. Over and over again, this person continued to endanger innocent people on our roadways. Despite multiple prior DUI convictions, prior accidents, Ms. Zaremba continued to drive drunk. This sentence reflects my office’s steadfast commitment to holding repeat DUI offenders accountable and protecting the safety of the public.”
Assistant State’s Attorney Desiree Sierens prosecuted the case.
