From the State’s Attorney:
MAX MCNAMARA SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR THE OFFENSE OF AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office announces that Max McNamara, 33, of Lakemoor, Illinois, was sentenced to eight years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
The sentence was handed down on February 27, 2025, by the Honorable Mark Gerhardt after McNamara entered a negotiated plea of guilty to one count of Aggravated Driving Under the Influence, a class two felony.
Under truth in sentencing, Mr. McNamara must serve a minimum of 85% of his sentence.
On October 1, 2023, shortly before 2:00 am, McNamara was driving a Chevrolet Silverado eastbound on Illinois Route 173 in unincorporated Harvard.
While impaired by both drugs and alcohol, McNamara traveled into the westbound lane of traffic and struck two on-coming vehicles.
The driver, a 21-year-old, and the sole occupant of the second vehicle struck, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigations and tests revealed that at the time of the crash McNamara had both cocaine and alcohol in his system, with a blood alcohol content that registered over two times the legal limit.
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese recognizes that those that drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs continue to destroy the lives of so many families in our community.
Freese stated, “DUIs are not victimless crimes.
“This was a senseless loss of life and the family of this young man is forever changed by this tragic event.”
The Office remains steadfast in its commitment to the prosecution of those that drive under the influence in our county and will continue to diligently work on seeking justice for the victims and families impacted.
State’s Attorney Freese commends the McHenry County Sheriff’s Major Crash Investigation Unit for their thorough investigation of this tragedy and the McHenry County Coroner’s Office for their hard work and assistance in the successful prosecution of this case.
Ms. Freese also expresses her appreciation for Polo Fabian, and the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office’s whole team of victim witness coordinators, who provide immeasurable assistance to crime victims.
This case was successfully prosecuted by Criminal Division Deputy Chief Brian Miller.
