Hit-And-Run Driver Seriously Injures Northwestern Student On Sheridan

EVANSTON, IL — Authorities said a Chicago man struck a Northwestern University student with his SUV on Sheridan Road last weekend before fleeing the scene.

Javier Castaneda-Vargas, 52, of the 4800 block of West Hutchinson Street, has been charged with one count of failure to report a serious injury accident, according to police and prosecutors.

Shortly after 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, Castaneda-Vargas was headed south on Sheridan Road approaching Chicago Avenue in his Jeep Compass, police reported.

Prosecutors said Castaneda-Vargas had a green light, but there was also a group of college students in the intersection crossing from the east to west side of Sheridan Road near the university's Weber Arch.

As he drove the SUV through the intersection, the driver struck an 18-year-old Northwestern student, "sending him airborne," according to prosecutors. Castaneda-Vargas did not stop or offer any assistance.

The teenage victim was taken to NorthShore University Evanston Hospital and diagnosed with a concussion, brain bleed and bruising to his body, Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Kate Fritzmann said Thursday at Castaneda-Vargas' initial court appearance in Skokie.

The Evanston Police Department's probe of the crash was aided by the university's private police force, according to police and prosecutors. Northwestern surveillance cameras were used to track the route of the SUV before and after the collision and provided police with a partial plate from the Jeep, which was later located by officers.

"The vehicle had clear damage consistent with a pedestrian striking the vehicle," Fritzmann said.

Castaneda-Vargas voluntarily came to the police station on Tuesday and spoke to investigators. After waiving his constitutional rights against self-incrimination, he admitted that he struck the pedestrian and failed to stop and offer help, according to police and prosecutors.

Fritzmann said Castaneda-Vargas said he did not stop at the time "because he was scared and nervous."

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Castaneda-Vargas has no previous criminal record in the United States, where he has lived for many years, the judge was told.

In addition to the felony hit-and-run charge, officers cited him for failure to exercise due care for a pedestrian.

Describing the evidence against him as significant and the victim's injuries as extraordinary, Cook County Associate Judge Anthony Calabrese ordered that Castaneda-Vargas must pay the $10,000 cash portion of his bond to secure his release ahead of his next court appearance Sept. 29.