A Crystal Lake man was hospitalized with serious injuries after the sheriff said he was hit by a drunk driver, who fled the scene and was arrested, while the pedestrian was walking near Barrington Monday evening.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Lake Zurich Fire Rescue Department responded around 11:10 p.m. Monday to the area of Route 22 and Kelsey Road in unincorporated Barrington for a report of a person down call.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived and found a 33-year-old Crystal Lake man seriously injured, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
Prosecutors said multiple motorists had stopped and were blocking the scene to protect the victim on the ground.
The victim was initially transported to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital and then transferred to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge for further treatment of his significant injuries.
Deputies determined that, based on evidence at the scene and the man’s injuries, he had been struck by a vehicle while walking on the side of the roadway, Covelli said.
Sheriff’s crash investigators quickly determined the vehicle parts left behind at the scene belonged to a silver or grey Volkswagen Atlas, which was likely traveling westbound on Route 22.
Investigators utilized the Flock Safety license plate reader system and located the suspect vehicle, which was registered to a Cary man.
Covelli said crash investigators located the offending vehicle at the registered owner’s home in the 300 block of Sterling Circle in Cary.
Investigators determined the driver of the Volkswagen, John Zurawski, 73, of Cary, was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the hit-and-run crash, Covelli said.
Prosecutors said Zurawski admitted to driving and said he thought he hit a snowbank.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the facts and circumstances of the case and approved charges against Zurawski of leaving the scene of a personal injury crash, a Class 4 felony, and driving under the influence of alcohol, a Class A misdemeanor.
“I am very proud of our team who were involved in this investigation. Because of their strong investigative skills, they were able to quickly determine this was a hit-and-run crash, track down the offending vehicle, and hold the driver accountable for his reckless actions,” Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg said.
“Our thoughts are with the pedestrian as he recovers from his serious injuries. Driving impaired is reckless, wrong, and dangerous, especially when there are many options available to get home safely with a sober driver,” Idleburg said.
Zurawski remains held in the Lake County Jail after appearing in First Appearance Court hearing on Tuesday morning.
The state’s attorney’s office filed a petition to detain him pending trial and a detention hearing is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon. Additional charges are possible.