Driver In Crash That Killed 1, Injured 2, Was Under Influence Of Cannabis: Police

CHICAGO RIDGE, IL — The driver involved in a horrific crash that killed his front seat passenger at a dangerous Chicago Ridge intersection on has been charged.

Nooraldein Ghnaimat, 19, of Bridgeview, is facing felony charges of aggravated DUI causing death, two counts of aggravated DUI causing great bodily harm, and reckless homicide.

In the late evening of Aug. 31, Chicago Ridge police received multiple 911 calls of a crash at 99th Street and Harlem Avenue. Officers came upon two heavily damaged vehicles and multiple injured people.
According to police, after a thorough investigation, determined that Ghnaimat, the at-fault driver, was driving 35mph over the speed limit at the time of the crash. His front seat passenger, 22-year-old Malik Aburas, of Oak Lawn, died in the crash.

Chicago Ridge investigators also determined that Ghnaimat was under the influence of cannabis when the accident happened, police said.

A man and woman in the other vehicle, both in their 40s, suffered critical injuries. Both remain hospitalized with a long road to recovery ahead, said Chief Jim Jarolimek, of the Chicago Ridge Police Department.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved felony charges Wednesday against Ghnaimat, who is due for a pretrial detention hearing Friday at the Bridgeview Courthouse.