Chicago Guitarist Charged With DUI in Fatal Crash

Sean Patrick Riley allegedly struck, killed Jose Serrano on the 2700 block of North Avenue Sunday night

A guitarist for the Chicago band Bloodiest was drunk when he drove over and killed a pedestrian over the weekend, prosecutors said.

Sean Patrick Riley's Blood Alcohol Concentration measured .161 -- twice the state's legal limit -- six hours after he hit 55-year-old Jose Serrano in the 2700 block of North Avenue Sunday night, Cook County prosecutors said.

Riley's bail was set at $200,000 during a court appearance Tuesday.

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According to a police report, Riley initially refused to take a field sobriety test a half-hour after the 8:24 p.m. accident. He finally submitted to a Breathalyzer around 3:30 a.m., the report said.

When an officer asked Riley if he had been drinking that night, Riley allegedly admitted he'd "had a few," the report stated.

An off-duty Chicago police officer who was driving eastbound on North Avenue saw Riley hit Serrano with his truck while Serrano was in the crosswalk, walking southbound on the street, Assistant State’s Attorney Glen Runk said.

Riley, who also was driving eastbound on North Avenue, didn’t appear to apply the brakes of his car or swerve out of the way of Serrano as he traveled 40 miles per hour, Runk said.

The 33-year-old Riley pulled over on Talman Avenue in a "dazed physical state" and was seen walking toward Serrano, who was lying on the street, the police report said.

When officers arrived, they smelled alcohol on Riley’s breath, Runk said.

Riley, who has a driver’s license from Montana, also allegedly was slurring his speech and had bloodshot eyes.

He had no insurance when he was behind the wheel, Runk said.

Serrano, of the 2100 block of west 52nd Street, suffered a broken leg, broken foot, broken arm and died from massive head trauma, Runk said.

Riley is a graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago and works two jobs, according to Assistant Public Defender Edward Koziboski.

Riley, of the 1400 block of Bell Avenue, cannot drive or use social media if he can post bond, Judge Peggy Chiampas ordered.

Riley’s friends refused comment following Tuesday’s bond hearing.

Bloodiest describes itself on Facebook as "scaring the goofy sunglasses and mustaches right off of the hipsters," and was a runner-up for best metal band in The Reader’s "Best of Chicago" issue last year.

Riley’s next court date wasn’t immediately known.

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