Man who was going about 100 mph at time of fatal crash in Morton Grove gets 6 1/2 years in prison

July 31--A Glenview man who police said was driving about 100 mph two years ago when he slammed into another vehicle in Morton Grove and killed a 48-year-old woman was sentenced last week to 6 1/2 years in prison, authorities said Monday.

Joseph Sperling, 28, pleaded guilty July 24 at the Cook County courthouse in Skokie to vehicular homicide and aggravated DUI, authorities said. He was also ordered to pay fees and fines of $399.

The case had drawn added interest because Sperling in 2013 had been charged with felony drug crimes, only to have the charges dismissed at trial after video of his arrest during a traffic stop showed a different series of events than what was portrayed on the witness stand by police, who were later charged with perjury.

At the time of the Morton Grove crash in August 2016, authorities said, Sperling was driving about 100 mph when he slammed into a vehicle near Golf and Shermer roads in Morton Grove killing Denise Cavada, of Chicago, who had been returning home after playing bingo. Police said the impact split her vehicle in half.

Police also said that Sperling and his passenger fled the crash on foot and that Sperling hid in a nearby parking lot and called a friend to come pick him up. Police found his passenger hiding in a nearby backyard.

Sperling, accompanied by his attorney, turned himself into police at the Morton Grove police station a few days later.

Sperling's 2016 arrest came three years after he was arrested and charged with drug crimes after a traffic stop. But that case was dismissed in 2014, and three Chicago police officers and a Glenview officer were charged with lying under oath in court during Sperling's trial.

Chicago narcotics officers had been watching Sperling and asked for help from Glenview police while making a traffic stop in the north suburb in June 2013. Police testified Sperling was pulled over after he failed to use his turn signal and that the smell of marijuana came from the car while an officer waited for Sperling to hand over his driver's license and insurance information.

They testified Sperling was ordered out of the car and that marijuana was found inside a black backpack in the car.

But Sperling's lawyer played a police video of the traffic stop. It showed an officer walking up to the car, reaching through the open driver's window, unlocking the door and having Sperling step out of the car. Sperling was then frisked, handcuffed and led to a squad car while his car was searched.

The video led a judge to suppress the search and arrest. Charges against Sperling were dismissed, and criminal charges later were brought against the four officers. One was found guilty of felony perjury, obstruction of justice and official misconduct. Another pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, and the two others were acquitted.

Sperling filed a federal lawsuit and got a $195,000 settlement from Chicago and Glenview.

Brian L. Cox is a freelance reporter.

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