Man Charged with Hit and Run

 Posted on June 02, 2012 in Criminal Defense

Prosecutors say that an Englewoodman admitted to having smoked marijuana before driving a vehicle involved in a hit and run crash that has left a four year old girl critically injured. Andre Howard, 22, has been charged with felony failure to report an accident with injuries, driving without insurance and misdemeanor DUI. He was ordered to be held on $200,000 bond.

According to a report on CBS News, prosecutors told the court that Howard was driving his sister’s boyfriend to an ‘L’ stop around 4:30 Saturday afternoon, in the 7100 block of South Normal Avenue. Howard struck the four year old girl with his vehicle, slowed down, but did not stop, even as a witness tried to unsuccessfully chase the car down.

The child, whose name has not been released, was transported to Comer's Children's Hospital, where she was listed in critical condition. Her injuries included a lacerated spleen as well as contusions to her lungs and liver. Her condition has stabilized since the accident.

About five hours after the accident, Howard surrendered to police. Prosecutors say he gave a written statement where he admitted smoking the marijuana before the accident.

In Illinois, drivers who leave the scene of an accident and allow more than thrity minutes to elapse without reporting the accident face a $25,000 fine, up to three years in jail, the suspension of their driver's license if property damage is more than $1,000, and revocation of their license if the accident resulted in an injury or death. An experienced criminal defense lawyer can help you avoid the negative consequences of your arrest, contact one as soon as possible.

If you or someone in your family are charged with leaving the scene of an accident, or any other serious crime, make sure you hire an experienced Naperville criminal defense attorney to defend you.