A suspect has been taken into custody after police say he intentionally struck and injured a resident with his truck after the victim confronted street racers in Round Lake Beach.
The Round Lake Beach Police Department responded around 8:45 p.m. Saturday to the 1200 block of Lotus Drive for a hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian.
Round Lake Beach Deputy Police Chief Tim Schuster said a man was injured after confronting illegal street racers in front of his house.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Cannon said four vehicles were driving at excessive speeds down the street.
A red Chevrolet pickup truck with a black hood and a white Dodge Charger were among those racing on the roadway.
The actions prompted the 57-year-old resident to confront the Chevrolet pickup truck, Schuster said.
The resident stood in the roadway and yelled at the driver from behind the truck.
The Chevrolet driver put the vehicle into reverse and drove at the resident.
Schuster said the truck initially missed hitting the resident but continued backing up and struck the man with either the driver’s side mirror or the front of the vehicle.
The man was thrown to the ground and the truck continued reversing away from the scene.
The victim initially declined medical assistance at the scene but went to the hospital later for treatment of injuries to his knee and foot, Schuster said.
A resident in the area captured video of the incident, which began circulating on social media. The poster of the video said the victim required surgery.
Cannon said the victim suffered serious injuries, including multiple broken bones.
After the victim had been struck by the truck and it had fled the scene, the Dodge Charger returned to the area a short time later and someone yelled at the victim, “That’s why you got hit b—h.”
Police announced on Wednesday that they conducted an “in-depth investigation” and secured an arrest warrant for the suspect.
The driver of the Chevrolet was identified by detectives as 19-year-old Nathien X. Guerra.
Guerra was charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving injury, failure to remain at the scene of a crash and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
Investigators located the Chevrolet involved and have impounded the vehicle, Schuster said.
An arrest warrant was issued for Guerra and detectives were working to locate him and take him into custody.
Court records show Guerra was taken into the custody of the Lake County Jail on Wednesday after surrendering.
He appeared in First Appearance Court on Wednesday and the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain him pending trial.
Guerra appeared for a detention hearing on Thursday afternoon where Lake County Judge James Newman denied the petition, noting Guerra’s lack of criminal history among other factors in his decision.
The judge ordered Guerra to be on a 24-hour curfew and home confinement. He also ordered him not to drive any vehicles.
Newman also said to Guerra he was “lucky” that the victim was not more seriously injured.
“This type of reckless criminal behavior, often associated with unsanctioned car clubs, will not be tolerated in Round Lake Beach,” Round Lake Beach Police Chief Ryan Rodriguez said.
“This issue has gone well beyond harmless car club gatherings and the conduct of those involved is like that of any other street gang, terrorizing our community and endangering lives,” Rodriguez said.
The police chief said officers are committed to “strictly enforcing” all laws related to illegal car club gatherings and reckless driving.
Officers will continue to impound any vehicle found engaging in the activity, Rodriguez said. “We have zero tolerance for actions that threaten the safety of our community.”
Guerra is scheduled to appear in court again on August 21 for a preliminary hearing.