Court Opinion

ID: 3147057
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-22 18:25:41.176319+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:55:15.839254
License: Public Domain

FIRST DIVISION
                                                            APRIL 21, 2008

No. 1-06-2771

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,                        )       Appeal from the
                                                            )       Circuit Court of
                       Plaintiff-Appellee,                  )       Cook County.
                                                            )
       v.                                                   )       No. 05 CR 26405
                                                            )
ROBERTO VILLANUEVA,                                         )       Honorable
                                                            )       Clayton J. Crane,
                       Defendant-Appellant.                 )       Judge Presiding.

       JUSTICE ROBERT E. GORDON delivered the opinion of the court:

       Defendant Roberto Villanueva was convicted of one count of leaving the scene of

a motor vehicle accident involving death or personal injury pursuant to section 11-401(a)

of the Illinois Vehicle Code (Vehicle Code) following a bench trial. 625 ILCS 5/11-

401(a) (West 2006). A sentencing hearing was conducted where mitigation and

aggravation were presented. The trial court sentenced defendant to 2 years of probation

and 60 hours of community service. Defendant filed a posttrial motion for a new trial,

which was denied. Defendant appeals, arguing that (1) the trial court erred by admitting

hearsay evidence from the victim that she was diagnosed with a mild concussion, and (2)

his trial counsel was ineffective. We affirm.
No. 1-06-2771

                                      BACKGROUND

        On July 17, 2005, at approximately 12:30 a.m., Wendy Gray was driving east on

Pratt Avenue in Chicago. At trial, Ms. Gray testified that the roads were dry and there

was minimal traffic on the roadways. As Ms. Gray proceeded through the green light at

Ridge, she noticed a set of headlights coming toward her. The front end of that vehicle,

traveling south on Ridge Avenue struck the driver’s side of Ms. Gray’s vehicle in the

intersection. After the collision, Ms. Gray moved her vehicle to the side of the road.

        Ms. Gray testified that she was traveling 30 miles per hour through the

intersection when the collision occurred. She testified that the vehicle that struck her

looked like a truck because the headlights appeared higher than the lights in a regular

passenger vehicle. Two men from a nearby apartment complex came to Ms. Gray’s aid

and called 911 from her cellular telephone. Ms. Gray testified that she suffered some

bruising on the left side of her body and a “goose egg” bump on her head. She felt dizzy,

her head was pounding, and it was sore to touch. An ambulance arrived in response to

the 911 call within five minutes and transported her to a hospital where she was treated

with ibuprofen for pain. Ms. Gray was interviewed by two police officers at the hospital.

        Ms. Gray testified that she never saw the person driving the vehicle that struck

her and that no one at the scene of the accident identified himself or herself as the driver

of that vehicle.

        Officer Charles Steele testified that he and his partner, Officer Kevin Casey, were

on duty in a patrol car around 12:30 a.m. on July 17, 2005, when they received a radio

                                              2
No. 1-06-2771

dispatch regarding a vehicle collision at Pratt and Ridge Avenues in Chicago. Upon

arriving at the scene of the accident, Officer Steele observed a heavily damaged motor

vehicle and paramedics treating Ms. Gray. Officer Steele testified that Ms. Gray’s

vehicle was the only damaged vehicle at the scene.

       Ms. Gray explained to Officer Steele how the accident occurred. Officer Steele

and his partner left the scene of the accident a short time after Ms. Gray was taken to the

hospital. At the hospital, Officer Steele spoke with Ms. Gray and emergency room

personnel. The officers prepared a written report and gave a copy to Ms. Gray. Shortly

thereafter, the officers returned to the Pratt/Ridge intersection.

       Officer Steele testified that he and his partner observed a trail of fluid and debris

at the accident site leading eastbound on Pratt, which appeared to be radiator fluid. The

officers followed the trail eastbound for about a block and a half and then continued as

the trail led northbound on Ravenswood Avenue. The trail finally led westbound on

Farwell Avenue for about half a block, and ended at a black sports utility vehicle (SUV)

with front-end damage, parked at 1848 West Farwell Street, about a quarter mile from

the scene of the accident.

       As the officers examined the SUV and began to investigate their findings by

collecting information, including the vehicle’s vehicle identification number (VIN),

defendant approached them from 1848 West Farwell Street and stated that the SUV

belonged to him and that he was in a collision at the intersection of Pratt and Ridge when

he went through a red light. Officer Steele testified that defendant made the above

                                               3
No. 1-06-2771

statements “clearly in English.” The officers asked defendant for his driver’s license and

proof of insurance, but he was unable to provide either. Officer Steele testified that he

completed a traffic accident report and arrested defendant for traffic violations.

Defendant never told the officers that he had attempted to report the accident.

        Following a bench trial with the assistance of a Spanish interpreter, defendant was

found guilty of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving death or personal

injury. Defendant filed this timely appeal.

                                         ANALYSIS

        On appeal, defendant argues that his conviction of leaving the scene of an

accident involving personal injury must be reversed because the trial court erred by

admitting hearsay evidence from the victim that she was diagnosed with a mild

concussion. Defendant claims the improperly admitted hearsay evidence supplied the

necessary evidence that the victim suffered a personal injury, which is an essential

element of the charged offense.

        At trial, Ms. Gray testified that as a result of defendant colliding with her vehicle,

she suffered a “goose egg” bump on her head and some bruising on the left side of her

body. Ms. Gray testified that after the collision, she felt dizzy, her head was pounding,

and it was sore to touch. An ambulance arrived within five minutes of the 911 call made

from Ms. Gray’s cellular telephone and transported her to a hospital. Ms. Gray testified,

over objection, that she was diagnosed with a mild concussion and given ibuprofen for

pain at the hospital.

                                               4
No. 1-06-2771

       Although defendant did make a general objection to Ms. Gray’s testimony at trial,

he acknowledges that no specific hearsay objection was made and that he did not raise

the specific issue again in a posttrial motion. “A general objection raises only the

question of relevance.” People v. Duff, 374 Ill. App. 3d 599, 602 (2007), citing People v.

Buie, 238 Ill. App. 3d 260, 275 (1992). Normally, a general objection results in the

forfeiture of the hearsay issue. Duff, 374 Ill. App. 3d at 602, citing People v. Simms, 168

Ill. 2d 176, 193 (1995) (“A general objection results in a waiver of the claim of error

unless (1) the grounds for the objection were clear from the record, (2) trial counsel’s

assistance was ineffective [citation], or (3) there was plain error”). Nevertheless, we will

address the merits of defendant’s contention. Duff, 374 Ill. App. 3d at 602-03, citing

People v. Roberts, 299 Ill. App. 3d 926, 931 (1998) (“[W]aiver is a bar upon the parties

and not upon the court”).

       We begin our analysis with defendant’s contention that Ms. Gray’s testimony

concerning the emergency room doctor’s hearsay diagnosis of a mild concussion

supplied the evidence necessary to convict him by setting forth the relevant statutory

provisions. Section 11-401 of the Vehicle Code provides:

                “Sec. 11-401. Motor Vehicle accident involving death or personal

       injuries.

                (a) The driver of any vehicle involved in a motor vehicle accident

       resulting in personal injury to or death of any person shall immediately

       stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident, or as close thereto as

                                              5
No. 1-06-2771

       possible and shall then forthwith return to, and in every event shall remain

       at the scene of the accident until the requirements of Section 11-403 have

       been fulfilled. Every stop shall be made without obstructing traffic more

       than is necessary.

                (b) ***

                For purposes of this Section, personal injury shall mean any injury

       requiring immediate professional treatment in a medical facility or

       doctor’s office.” 625 ILCS 5/11-401 (2006).

Section 11-403 of the Vehicle Code provides:

                “§ 11-403. Duty to give information and render aid. The driver of

       any vehicle involved in a motor vehicle accident resulting in injury to or

       death of any person or damage to any vehicle which is driven or attended

       by any person shall give the driver’s name, address, registration number

       and owner of the vehicle the driver is operating and shall upon request and

       if available exhibit such driver’s license to the person struck or the driver

       or occupant of or a person attending any vehicle collided with and shall

       render to any person injured in such accident reasonable assistance,

       including the carrying or the making of arrangements for the carrying of

       such person to a physician, surgeon or hospital for medical or surgical

       treatment, if it is apparent that such treatment is necessary or if such

                                              6
No. 1-06-2771

          carrying is requested by the injured person.” 625 ILCS 5/11-403 (West

          2006).

          In order to support a conviction under section 11-401(a) of the Vehicle Code, the

State must establish that the defendant was involved in an accident, the accident resulted

in injury or death to a person, and the defendant left the scene of the accident without

rendering aid or leaving the information required by section 11-403 of the Vehicle Code.

625 ILCS 5/11-401(a), 11-403 (West 2006). As noted, in the case of personal injury

under section 11-401(a) of the Vehicle Code, the personal injury resulting to the victim

must be an “injury requiring immediate professional treatment in a medical facility or

doctor’s office.” 625 ILCS 5/11-401 (West 2006). In addition, the State must prove that

the defendant knew he was involved in an accident, but it is not required to prove that the

defendant knew the accident caused an injury. People v. Janik, 127 Ill. 2d 390, 399

(1989).

          Defendant argues that reversible error occurred because absent the testimony that

Ms. Gray suffered a mild concussion, it is likely that the trier of fact would have found

that there was insufficient evidence that Ms. Gray had suffered a personal injury as

contemplated by section 11-401(a) of the Vehicle Code. Defendant argues that Ms.

Gray’s injuries, including the bruising on the left side of her body, a “goose egg” bump

on her head, headache, and dizziness were not sufficient to establish that she had suffered

personal injuries “requiring immediate professional treatment in a medical facility or

doctor’s office.” 625 ILCS 5/11-401 (West 2006). In support of his argument, defendant

                                              7
No. 1-06-2771

points to the fact that Ms. Gray was prescribed only ibuprofen for her injuries, leading to

the conclusion that Ms. Gray’s injuries were not serious. Defendant states that the

administration of ibuprofen for pain was not treatment for Ms. Gray’s injuries.

Defendant also states that Ms. Gray was able to move her vehicle out of the intersection

without assistance, indicating that she was not injured to the extent of “requiring

immediate professional treatment in a medical facility or doctor’s office.”

Defendant’s argument is not persuasive. We find that even in the absence of the

testimony regarding the diagnosis of Ms. Gray’s mild concussion, the injuries that she

received sufficed to trigger defendant’s duties under sections 11-401 and 11-403 of the

Vehicle Code.

       Firstly, it is undisputed that Ms. Gray suffered a “goose egg” bump on her head

and some bruising on the left side of her body. She testified that after the collision, she

felt dizzy, her head was pounding, and it was sore to touch. Based upon the foregoing,

emergency personnel that arrived shortly after the motor vehicle accident rendered her

aid and decided to transport her to the hospital, where she was examined and received

medical treatment for her injuries.

        Furthermore, one of the declared purposes of sections 11-401 and 11-403 of the
Vehicle Code is to encourage those who cause a motor vehicle accident to investigate
whether the injured party requires medical attention. People v. Jack, 282 Ill. App. 3d
727, 734 (1996). In Jack, the court noted that “ ‘[a]n obvious purpose of the statute is to
assure that injured victims of accidents be given prompt medical attention.’ ” Jack, 282
Ill. App. 3d at 734. The Jack court also noted that “[a]n investigation is usually
necessary to meet the requirements of section 11-403, i.e., stop, render aid, and provide
information. Therefore, a person who knows he is in an accident, but fails to investigate,
usually fails to even attempt compliance with section 11-403.” Jack, 282 Ill. App. 3d at
734. In the instant case, defendant knew he was in an accident, but failed to investigate.

                                              8
No. 1-06-2771

Like the defendant in Jack, defendant failed to even attempt compliance with section 11-
403 of the Vehicle Code.
         Based upon the foregoing, we conclude that the evidence in this case, even in the
absence of the testimony regarding Ms. Gray’s mild concussion, was sufficient to prove
defendant guilty for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident in violation of section
11-401(a) of the Vehicle Code. 625 ILCS 5/11-401(a), 11-403 (West 2006).
         Defendant then argues that he is entitled to a new trial because he received
ineffective assistance of counsel. Defendant argues that his trial attorney’s failure to call
witnesses that would have testified that defendant could not speak English would have
rebutted Officer Steele’s testimony and as a result deprived him of a fair trial.
Furthermore, defendant argues that introducing testimony that would have rebutted
Officer Steele’s testimony would have shown that the officer was a “liar” and would have
caused the trial court to view all the evidence in a light more favorable to defendant.
         The Illinois Supreme Court has held that, to determine whether a defendant was
denied his or her right to effective assistance of counsel, an appellate court must apply
the two-prong test set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 80 L. Ed. 674, 104
S. Ct. 2052 (1984). People v. Colon, 225 Ill. 2d 125, 135 (2007), citing People v.
Albanese, 104 Ill. 2d 504 (1984) (adopting Strickland). Under Strickland, a defendant
must prove both (1) his attorney’s actions constituted errors so serious, as to fall below
an objective standard of reasonableness; and (2) absent these errors, there was a
reasonable probability that his trial would have resulted in a different outcome. People v.
Ward, 371 Ill. App. 3d 382, 434 (2007), citing Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687-94, 80 L. Ed.
2d at 693-98, 104 S. Ct. at 2064-68.
         Under the first prong of the Strickland test, the defendant must prove that his
counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness “under
prevailing professional norms.” Colon, 225 Ill. 2d at 135; People v. Evans, 209 Ill. 2d
194, 220 (2004). Under the second prong, the defendant must show that, “but for”
counsel’s deficient performance, there is a reasonable probability that the result of the
proceeding would have been different. Colon, 225 Ill. 2d at 135; Evans, 209 Ill. 2d at
220. “[A] reasonable probability that the result would have been different is a probability
sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome – or put another way, that counsel’s
deficient performance rendered the result of the trial unreliable or fundamentally unfair.”
Evans, 209 Ill. 2d at 220; Colon, 225 Ill. 2d at 135.
         To prevail, the defendant must satisfy both prongs of the Strickland test. Colon,
225 Ill. 2d at 135; Evans, 209 Ill. 2d at 220. “That is, if in an effective-assistance claim
can be disposed of because the defendant suffered no prejudice, we need not determine
whether counsel’s performance was deficient.” People v. Graham, 206 Ill. 2d 465, 476
(2003). We do not need to consider the first prong of the Strickland test, when the
second prong cannot be satisfied. Graham, 206 Ill. 2d at 476.
         “With respect to establishing prejudice, ‘ “[i]t is not enough for the defendant to
show that the errors had some conceivable effect on the outcome of the proceeding.
Virtually every act or omission of counsel would meet that test. *** ” [Citation.] Rather,

                                             9
No. 1-06-2771

a defendant is required to show that “there is a reasonable probability that, absent the
errors, the factfinder would have had a reasonable doubt respecting guilt.” ’ ” People v.
Negron, 297 Ill. App. 3d 519, 537 (1998), quoting People v. Collins, 106 Ill. 2d 237, 274
(1985), quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 693, 695, 80 L. Ed. 2d at 697-98, 104 S. Ct. at
2067, 2069.
        In the case at bar, defendant does not point to any potentially favorable witnesses
which his counsel failed to call who would have testified that defendant could not speak
English. The record itself does not disclose any. Furthermore, there is no evidence in the
record establishing how a potential witness would have testified if called, and
accordingly, there is no basis for a conclusion that the fact finder would have had a
reasonable doubt regarding guilt if defense counsel had done what defendant suggests.
        Despite the foregoing, defendant asks us to draw an inference that at least one
witness existed that would have testified that he could not speak English. Defendant
argues that we can draw the inference based on the fact that defendant required a Spanish
interpreter at trial, required a Spanish interpreter to explain to him that his sentencing
must be postponed when his trial counsel fractured her foot and could not attend the
hearing, and based upon a probation officer’s observation that defendant could not speak
English in defendant’s presentence investigation report.
        However, defendant’s argument fails because it asks us to venture outside the
record in this case. Because defendant cannot establish prejudice based upon the record
before us, defendant’s claim of ineffective assistance fails.1
                                        CONCLUSION
        For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the judgment of the circuit court of Cook
County.
        Affirmed.
        WOLFSON and GARCIA, JJ., concur.

        1
            Defendant may raise issues that require consideration of matters outside of the

record, specifically a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, in a timely petition for

postconviction relief under the Post-Conviction Hearing Act (725 ILCS 5/122-1 et seq.

(West 2006)) or “perhaps section 2-1401 of the Code of Civil Procedure” (735 ILCS 5/2-

1401 (West 2006)). Negron, 297 Ill. App. 3d at 538 n.5.

                                               10
                REPORTER OF DECISIONS - ILLINOIS APPELLATE COURT
                       (Front Sheet to be attached to each Opinion)
_________________________________________________________________
Please use the ]
following form:]
                  ]
              ]       THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,
              ]
              ]                 Plaintiff-Appellee,
              ]            v.
              ]
              ]       ROBERTO VILLANUEVA,
              ]
              ]                 Defendant-Appellant.
               ]
Complete       ]
  TITLE        ]
of Case.       ]
_________________________________________________________________
Docket No.     ]           No. 1-06-2771
               ]     Appellate Court of Illinois
COURT          ]   First District, First Division
               ]
               ]           APRIL 21, 2008
Opinion Filed ]        (Month, Day and Year)
_________________________________________________________________
               ]
JUSTICES       ] JUSTICE ROBERT E. GORDON delivered the opinion
               ] of the court.
               ]
               ] WOLFSON and GARCIA, JJ., concur.
_________________________________________________________________
APPEAL from the] Lower Court and Trial Judge(s) in form indicated
Circuit Court ] in margin:
of Cook County;] Appeal from the Circuit Court of Cook County.
the Hon:______ ]
Judge Presiding] Honorable Clayton J. Crane, Judge Presiding.

_________________________________________________________________
For APPELLANTS ]Indicate if attorney represents APPELLANTS or
John Doe of    ]APPELLEES and include attorneys of counsel.
Chicago.       ]Indicate the word NONE if not represented.
For APPELLEES, ]_________________________________________________
Smith and      ]    Office of the State Appellate Defender
Smith, of      ]    Michael Pelletier - Deputy Defender
Chicago.       ]    Justyna Garbaczewska - Assistant Appellante
Brown,         ]    Defender
of Counsel.    ]    Chicago, Illinois   60601
               ]    Attorneys for Appellant
               ]
               ]
               ]    Richard A. Devine - State’s Attorney
               ]    Chicago, Illinois   60602
               ]    Attorneys for Appellee
               ]    Attn: James Fitzgerald; Marie Q. Czech,
No. 1-06-2771

Also add atty. ]          Barry Quinn
for third party]          OF COUNSEL
appellants     ]
or appellees. ]
               ]
___________________(USE REVERSE SIDE IF NEEDED___________________

                                 12