Streator man pleads guilty to not reporting fatal accident

A Streator man said he was sorry to the family of a LaSalle bicyclist who died after he was hit by the SUV he was driving. 27-year old Gabriel Benitez pleaded guilty Thursday to not reporting the accident. Assistant State’s Attorney Matt Kidder says 45-year old Carl J. Telford was hit while riding his bike on IL 351 south of LaSalle and later died from his injuries. LaSalle County Sheriff’s Deputies were told that a white SUV hit the bicyclist. After talking to the owner of the SUV, the person said that Benitez borrowed the car. Security camera footage would have shown Benitez getting into the car before the accident. He was sentenced to four years in prison by Judge H. Chris Ryan, however, he’ll only have to serve 50% of the sentence. His Attorney Doug Olivero says Benitez thought about what happened all the time and wishes he could take it back.