Crime & Safety
Woodridge Man Charged In Fatal Hit-And-Run Of Cyclist From Naperville
Police say Salil Chander, 33, was intoxicated and had been carrying a sword in his home before he fatally hit Michael Norton, 64.
WOODRIDGE, IL — A Woodridge man is accused of being intoxicated when he fled the scene of a crash that killed bicyclist Michael Norton, 64, of Naperville.
Salil Chander, 33, of the 4100 block of Nelson Court, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing death and aggravated DUI resulting in the death of another person in connection with the Aug. 6 incident.
Woodridge police got a call around 5 p.m. Sunday reporting that Norton had been walking around his home and carrying a sword while intoxicated. Shortly after, police say Chander drove off the premises in a silver Kia.
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Chander is accused of hitting a light pole while driving on Nelson Court before heading west on Green Trails Drive. According to prosecutors, Chander's car veered into opposing traffic on Green Trails Drive and hit Norton, who had been riding a bicycle.
Chander is accused of fleeing the scene by car. Authorities were notified by someone who said they witnessed the crash. Police responded quickly and found Chander near the intersection of Green Trails Drive and Ridgewood Road.
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He was arrested and is accused of having a BAC of .222.
“The allegations that after he had been drinking and with a BAC of nearly three times the legal limit, Mr. Chander got behind the wheel of his car, hit an innocent bicyclist, launching him into the air over the vehicle, and then, instead of stopping to render aid, fled the scene, are horrific,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.
He added,“In Illinois, if you are involved in an any type of accident, the law requires you to stop and report the accident. Moreover, leaving the scene of a horrible crash that killed an innocent man, as alleged in this case, is not only illegal, but also inexcusable. I offer my sincerest condolences to Mr. Norton’s family and friends as they mourn the loss of a beloved family member and friend."
Chander is being held in DuPage County Jail on $1 million and is set to be arraigned Sept. 1.
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