Palos Heights Man Who Caused Fatal DUI Crash Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison

A Palos Heights man was sentenced to 13 years in prison Thursday for causing a crash that left two New Lenox men dead in 2006, according to a release from the Will County State's Attorney's Office.

Scott A. Rossow, 27, was found guilty in November of four counts of aggravated driving under the influence. , he could have received a sentence of up to 28 years.

During the sentencing hearing, Assistant State’s Attorney Christopher Koch presented testimony to Judge Edward Burmila that Rossow had been arrested and charged with narcotics trafficking in Kentucky in October 2010 while he was awaiting trial in the aggravated DUI case.

According to the release, Rossow was driving a Corvette more than 100 mph near the intersection of Francis and Town Line roads in Mokena on Dec. 8, 2006, when he lost control and struck a tree. 

Rossow and his two passengers, Christopher Sommers and David Sauseda, both of New Lenox, were ejected from the vehicle. Sommers was Rossow's friend and Sauseda was a family member.

In November, Patch reported that Rossow was a resident of New Lenox at the time of the accident.

Rossow's blood-alcohol level was .127 at the time of the accident, according to the release. His lawyers argued that Rossow was not behind the wheel when the accident occurred. He was charged in 2008.

State's Attorney James Glasgow called the crash "senseless and horrific" but said evidence "left no doubt" that Rossow was the driver.