Police announced charges against a FedEx driver for fleeing the scene after he hit a Mundelein woman with his truck, leaving her to die, while he was allegedly using an electronic device in Gurnee.
The Gurnee Police Department and Gurnee Fire Department responded around 8:04 p.m. on April 2 to the area of Delany Road and Sunset Avenue for a report of a vehicle crash with injuries.
A Lake County sheriff’s deputy came upon the scene and found a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said.
The female victim, later identified as Amber Knowles, 33, of Mundelein, was unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene, according to Gurnee Fire Department Battalion Chief James Gramer.
Gramer said Knowles was found lying in the roadway on Delany Road south of Sunset Avenue.
An alert was broadcast to area police departments reporting that the vehicle involved had fled the scene.
The vehicle reportedly sustained heavy front-end damage and a description was provided for officers to be on the lookout.
Gurnee Police Department Public Information Officer Shawn Gaylor initially said that the vehicle involved, a Ford E-450 truck, had pulled off the roadway into a business following the crash.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Elizabeth Cannon said the incident was in fact a hit-and-run and the driver of the Ford, identified as Javier R. Contreras-Bulnes, 27, of Gurnee, did not remain at the scene.
Contreras-Bulnes waited 46 minutes from the time he struck Knowles to the time he approached police to report that he hit something.
Knowles appeared to be crossing Delany Road when she was struck in an area not in a crosswalk.
The Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) was called to the scene to conduct an investigation.
Officers shut down both directions of Delany Road from Sunset Avenue to Ryan Road for several hours for the investigation.
The family of Knowles held a candlelight vigil at Delany Road and Ryan Road two days after the crash.
The woman’s sister, Joslyn Knowles, said Amber Knowles was “an amazing person” and did not deserve what happened.
She also said her sister knew how to brighten the room with her “cool smooth personality.”
Gaylor said Friday that the MCAT investigation concluded after an extensive analysis of the scene, a review of vehicle data and an examination of digital evidence.
“Investigators ultimately determined that distracted driving played a significant role in the crash,” Gaylor said.
Contreras-Bulnes was charged with two felony counts of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and one felony count of aggravated use of an electronic communication device causing death.
Cannon said Contreras-Bulnes was driving at 40 mph in his FedEx truck when he struck Knowles.
Video evidence showed the driver made multiple phone calls and then got back into his truck and moved around after the crash occurred, Cannon said.
He spoke to another person before even contacting police, Cannon said.
“This case represents a heartbreaking loss for the victim’s family and loved ones,” Gurnee Police Chief Jeremy Gaughan said.
“While nothing can undo their pain, we hope these charges bring a sense of resolution and accountability. Our officers and investigators worked tirelessly to ensure this case was thoroughly investigated and that justice could be pursued,” Gaughan said.
“This incident serves as a difficult reminder of how dangerous distracted driving can be. A brief glance at a phone can change lives forever. We continue to urge drivers to put their phones down and give their full attention to the road,” he added.
The Gurnee Police Department said they continue to stress the dangers of distracted driving.
“Using a cellphone while driving significantly reduces reaction time and awareness, putting pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists at risk. Nationally, distracted driving remains one of the leading causes of serious injury and fatal crashes,” Gaylor said.
“The police department remains committed not only to enforcing the law but to preventing tragedies like this through education, enforcement, and community awareness,” she added.
An arrest warrant charging Contreras-Bulnes with the felonies was issued on Wednesday and he appeared in First Appearance Court on Friday morning.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office did not file a petition to detain him and Lake County Judge Helen Rozenberg was forced to release him with pre-trial conditions.
Prosecutors said they took his lack of a criminal background into consideration when deciding not to seek his detention.
An attorney for Contreras-Bulnes said his client is still an employee of FedEx following the incident and described Contreras-Bulnes as a “hard-working, fine young man” who comes from a good family.
The defense attorney also said that Contreras-Bulnes did not realize he had hit a person and thought it was a deer.
A wrongful death lawsuit is pending in Lake County Circuit Court against Contreras-Bulnes.
Contreras-Bulnes is scheduled to appear in court again on March 6 for a status of preliminary hearing.