A late Thursday night crash has left one man dead and another charged with aggravated DWI, sources have confirmed. The incident occurred at approximately 10:15 p.m. Thursday in Chicago, IL, when one Chicago man was standing outside of his broken down vehicle that he had parked along the shoulder, as he awaited a tow truck. Another Chicago man was seen driving across the fog line and then struck the stranded motorist before speeding away from the scene. The man who was struck was pronounced dead at 11:34 p.m. as a result of his injuries.
A passing motorist who had witnessed the incident immediately phoned 911 and reported a description of the vehicle that had sped away from the scene. Police located both the driver and his pickup about 15 minutes after receiving the initial call from the motorist. When they approached the man, the police report says that officers could smell a “strong odor of alcoholic beverage,” and that his eyes were both bloodshot and glassy. The report also added that his speech was slurred. According to a New York Criminal Lawyer, the police report stated that when officers approached the man, they noticed an open can of Modelo beer inside the cab of the truck. The beer can reportedly had some alcoholic beverage remaining in the can.
Officers went on to include in their report that the subject agreed to their request to perform a field sobriety test, and that he subsequently failed those tests. He was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated DWI, and is being held on a $1 million bail. A Nassau County Criminal Lawyer went on to add that it is expected that more charges will be filed against the 40-year old man during his first hearing. The least of those charges that are anticipated could include vehicular homicide, which is normally filed when a death occurs as a result of a traffic violation or action.
The Chicago Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the 32-year old man had died as a result of his injuries after completing an autopsy on the man’s body on Friday.
A DWI charge can be life changing, even if you are proven innocent. It can create problems with personal relationships, employment and much more. If you have been charged with a DWI or related offense, seek prompt legal advice to ensure that your rights are protected.
When the stakes are high and you’re facing criminal charges, you need a lawyer with experience, who is available to take your case quickly and confidently, who will go the extra mile to investigate your case thoroughly, and who get the best possible result in or out of court. Contact Stephen Bilkis and Associates for advice and legal guidance.