The families of Joaquin Garcia and Fabian Torres returned to court as they continue to fight for justice for their loved ones. They thought they would get to face the North Chicago police officer accused in the double fatal DUI crash. But that didn't happen.
The mothers of Torres and Garcia left court, hand in hand, still reeling from a judge's decision to grant bond to North Chicago police officer Terrell Garrett, who allegedly drove drunk the wrong way on Lake Shore Drive, killing their sons.
"This man come out with a bail bond, gets to walk home," said Cecilia Garcia. "Our kids are never coming home to us, never."
Garrett, 35, was not at Monday afternoon's status hearing. His attorney says he remains hospitalized with a fractured hip.
The two mothers, who had not met until tragedy brought them together, say Garrett got special treatment because he is a cop.
Garrett was given a $500,000 bond.
"The bond was set, in my opinion, too low," said Asuncion Torres. "How do you justify $25,000 for each life?"
Prosecutors say Garrett, who was off-duty, admitted that he was drinking -- because it was his birthday -- when he drove northbound in the southbound lanes of Lake Shore Drive, causing the early Friday morning crash near Diversey.
It was determined Garrett's blood-alcohol content was more than twice the legal driving limit.
The victims' families held a candlelight vigil Monday night in the Little Village neighborhood that both men loved.
"That's why we're having the vigil, so that everyone does know it's an injustice," said Ron Srivniak, Joaquin Garcia's stepfather. "It never should have happened."
Funeral arrangements for Torres are still pending, but Garcia will be buried Wednesday, the same day as his mother's birthday.
