Glenview Man Charged In I-294 Construction Worker's Death

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Illinois State Police officials said the man accused in a crash on I-294 near Touhy Avenue that killed construction worker Frank Caputo of Bartlett has been arrested and charged in the case. Officials said ISP officers took 26-year-old Stephen W. Karakosta of Glenview into custody on Friday, Nov. 30.

Karakosta is charged with aggravated driving under the influence of drugs involving death, reckless homicide, possession of a controlled substance, aggravated speeding, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and improper lane usage, all approved by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.

Karakosta was also arrested on an out-of-state arrest warrant for a parole violation out of Berrien County, Michigan, police said.

According to ISP, the investigation into the Sept. 14 crash that killed the 59-year-old construction worker revealed that a black Infinity driven by Karakosta drove into the closed lanes of the construction zone just after 10:15 p.m. near O'Hare International Airport at a high rate of speed, hitting and killing Caputo.

Police said Karakosta also hit a large concrete cutting saw and an unoccupied parked construction vehicle with a trailer attached. Through the investigation, ISP officers said they learned traffic was slowed due to the ongoing construction and active lane closures at the time of the crash.

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Patch reported in September Caputo was transported to Lutheran General Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. Karakosta was also transported to Lutheran General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries where he was treated and released.

According to ISP, Karakosta's bond hearing was held Friday and he was ordered to be held with no bond. His next court date is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 20 in Skokie.

Image via Illinois State Police