Aurora man sentenced to nine years for fatal DUI crash in DuPage County
An Aurora man, Joshua Crye, has been sentenced to nine years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to aggravated DUI causing death. The sentence was announced by DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin, who noted that the state had sought the maximum allowable sentence of fourteen years.
Crye, 34, appeared before Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh for his sentencing. He had entered a blind plea of guilty on August 5, 2025. The incident occurred on April 6, 2023, when Crye drove his Ford Escape at about 85 miles per hour on southbound Eola Road and crossed into oncoming traffic. His vehicle collided with another car driven by Nicole Dickerson. Both vehicles then struck a third car. All occupants were taken to a local hospital; Dickerson died from her injuries four days later.
Authorities determined Crye’s blood alcohol content at the time was 0.183, more than twice the legal limit. Following an investigation and arrest warrant issued on May 18, 2023, Crye was taken into custody on June 12 and has remained in jail since then.
“DUI crashes are not accidents,” Berlin said. “These crashes, which are 100% avoidable, are the result of a bad decision made by an intoxicated individual, in this case, Joshua Crye. That bad decision however, not only cost Nicole Dickerson her life and her family their loving wife and mother, but also impacted an entire community. I wish Nicole’s family and friends strength as they continue their lives with just their memories of the love and support Nicole once provided. I urge everyone to please be responsible if you have been drinking or are otherwise intoxicated. When it is time to go home, do the right thing and call a cab, a ride sharing service or a friend for a ride instead of thinking you are fine to drive. I thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Lee Roupas and Michael McBride for their efforts in holding Mr. Crye responsible for the death of Nicole Dickerson.”
Crye must serve at least 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
DuPage County is home to over 142,000 students enrolled across its schools as of the 2022-23 academic year; there were about 10,600 full-time faculty members during that period according to data from the Illinois State Board of Education (https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Home.aspx).