A West Chicago man accused of leaving the scene of a crash that claimed the life of an eighty-five-year-old woman Wednesday has been denied pre-trial release.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Wheaton Chief of Police Princeton Youker announced Friday that Judge Joshua Dieden granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for the suspect, 43, who has been charged with one count of Reckless Homicide (a Class 3 Felony); one count of Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Personal Injury or Death (a Class 4 Felony); one count of Obstructing Justice (a Class 4 Felony) and numerous Misdemeanor and petty traffic offenses including Speeding 35+ mph Over Limit and Disobey a Traffic Control Device.
On Wednesday at approximately 1:16pm, Wheaton police officers responded to a traffic crash at County Farm Road and the DuPage County Complex entrance north of Manchester Road. Upon their arrival officers observed a Jeep Wrangler, allegedly driven by the suspect, with significant damage to the front and front passenger side, and a Honda CRV in the southbound lanes with significant front-end damage and front passenger side damage.
According to a police investigtion, it was determined that the Honda was northbound on County Farm Road waiting to make a left-hand turn into the county complex at the County Campus “main entrance” traffic light. Police also determined that the green arrow was illuminated for northbound traffic on County Farm to complete their turn into the County Complex while the southbound traffic on County Farm had a solid red light. As the victim was making her left-hand turn into the complex, the suspect, who was traveling southbound on County Farm Road at a speed of 82 mph in a 35-mph zone five seconds before the crash, ignored the solid red light and crashed into the passenger side of the Honda.
Police indicate that after the crash the suspect fled the scene on foot but was quickly located on the north side of Manchester Road west of County Farm Road, at which time he allegedly gave the authorities a false name and resisted arrest.
The driver and passenger of the Honda were both immediately transported to a local hospital for medical attention. The passenger was pronounced deceased a short time later at the hospital while the driver was later discharged.
“[The suspect’s] alleged reckless driving on a busy road that travels through the middle of the County complex in the middle of the day demonstrates his complete disregard for public safety,” Berlin said. “To the family and friends of the victim, I offer my sincerest condolences on their tragic loss. Experiencing the sudden, heartbreaking loss of a loved one is devastating and I wish them solace and strength as they continue their lives with just their memories to see them through.”
The suspect’s next court appearance is scheduled for December 2, 2024, for arraignment in front of Judge Brian Telander.
