- A reputed gang member was sentenced to 54 years in prison today for ramming a carload of teens on Chicago’s West Side and killing an 18-year-old college student because he mistakenly thought they were gang rivals.
Shalimar Santiago, 30, showed no reaction as Judge Joseph Claps handed down the punishment for first-degree murder and seven counts of aggravated battery in the August 2009 crash that killed aspiring doctor Stephanie Herrera.
Moments before, Santiago stood at the defense table in a tan jail jumpsuit and apologized to the victims, but he said it was all a tragic accident and he was not the monster portrayed by prosecutors.
Correct us if we're wrong, but an accident involves an unforeseen set of circumstances. This was completely preventable and unnecessary. "Monster" is by far the mildest description we can imagine.
It should have been around a one-hundred-fifty year sentence.
It should have been around a one-hundred-fifty year sentence.