A South Holland man was sentenced to 16 years in prison Thursday for a 2023 DUI crash in Oak Lawn that resulted in the death of a 3-year-old boy. Paul Sutton, 46, pleaded guilty to aggravated driving under the influence causing death in connection with the July collision that killed Matthew Dushenko, of Burbank.

Cook County Judge Margaret Ogarek handed down the sentence at a hearing where Sutton expressed remorse for the crash and its impact on the Dushenko family. “If I could, I would change the whole situation,” Sutton said. “They don’t deserve that. And I just pray that they rest in peace … and that God wraps his arms around their family.”

According to prosecutors, the crash occurred at the intersection of 95th Street and Ridgeland Avenue. Sutton was reportedly driving at speeds exceeding 70 mph with a blood-alcohol content of 0.196%, more than twice the legal limit, when he collided with the victim’s family vehicle. Matthew was pronounced dead at Advocate Children’s Hospital following the accident.

Matthew’s mother, Tetiana Dushenko, described her son at his funeral as “full of joy,” sharing that he enjoyed playing with dinosaurs and loved his older brother. His father, Serhii Dushenko, who was a passenger in the car, suffered critical injuries in the crash and died approximately two months later as a result of those injuries.

Sutton sustained serious injuries as well and had to be extricated from his vehicle, prosecutors stated. His attorney, Cierra Norris, said Sutton has shown deep remorse and emotional distress throughout the legal process. “We’ve never had one that we’ve finished without him just breaking down at the end for the remorse that he feels for this, as he should,” Norris said.

The judge cited Sutton’s extensive criminal record, including a prior DUI conviction in 2017 and an active warrant for driving with a revoked license at the time of the crash, as aggravating factors influencing the length of the sentence. Ogarek also emphasized the importance of deterring similar conduct while acknowledging Sutton’s efforts to improve himself during incarceration.

Sutton is required to serve at least 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for release, followed by a mandatory two-year parole period. He will receive credit for the three years already spent in custody.

After sentencing, the courtroom observed a moment of silence, reflecting the gravity of the case. “That case … that was a tough case,” Ogarek remarked.