Driver charged after hit-and-run leaves 4 fans seriously injured just before White Sox game
CHICAGO (CBS) -- An accused driver was charged with multiple felonies late Wednesday after a hit-and-run crash outside Guaranteed Rate Field right before a White Sox game the evening before.
Four fans remained hospitalized after being hit by the car and seriously injured.
Condelarious Garcia, 20, of the Back of the Yards neighborhood, was charged with four felony counts of failure to report an accident with injury, and four counts of aggravated reckless driving causing bodily harm.
He was also charged with one misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended license, and received traffic tickets for failure to reduce speed, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and expiration of registration.
Garcia is due for a bond hearing on Thursday.
The hit-and-run crash took place as the fans crossed 35th Street at Shields Avenue to go to the White Sox game against the Texas Rangers at 6:20 p.m. Tuesday.
A silver sedan barreling east down 35th Street plowed right into four fans who were on their way into the ballpark. Four pedestrians – two men and two women - were injured.
Three of the victims were immediately given aid by personal protection officers outside the ballpark. The fourth flipped and landed in the sunroof of the car that had hit them all, Chicago Police Deputy Chief Fred Melean said Tuesday night.
The fourth victim was still partially in the car when it sped off, Melean said.
Illinois State Police pursued the car, with help from a Chicago Police SWAT team. The car crashed on the outbound Dan Ryan near 45th Street, and besides Garcia, three others in the car were also apprehended.
A victim faces a long recovery
Meanwhile, CBS 2's Charlie De Mar talked with the son of the crash victim who ended up falling through the sunroof. Diehard White Sox fan Chuck Janczy was heading to the ballpark Tuesday when he was hit by the driver.
"He kind of slid over the vehicle, flew into the sunroof from head first, and he landed into the vehicle - and perpetrators took off," said Jerome Janczy, Chuck Janczy's son.
Jerome Janczy said his dad somehow landed face-first inside the sunroof of the car that hit him. He said the people in the car talked about throwing his dad out of the moving vehicle.
"It sounds like the perpetrators were still completely shocked when he landed in the vehicle," said Jerome Janczy. "One of them was talking about maybe throwing him out of the vehicle. Another other was asking if he was OK."
Chuck Janczy suffered numerous fractures.
"From what I understand, he has broken ribs, broken back, broken leg, as well as specifically broken thumb," said Jerome Janczy.
Chuck Janczy is an avid runner, and his recovery is expected to be long. But his son says he is thankful still to have his dad.
"Considering how serious the incident was, it's pretty remarkable that he's doing as well as he is," said Jerome Janczy.
Chuck Janczy is apparently in good spirits. He was tweeting about the incident Wednesday night.
He said he will recover, but it will take time – and he acknowledges the whole situation could have been worse for him.
Two of the victims remained in critical condition late Wednesday, while the other two are in serious, but stable condition.
New concerns about safety
Fans returned to the ballpark Wednesday as the White Sox continued their series against the Texas Rangers. The traffic flow and police presence were on par with a regular game day.
The big question on everyone's minds is, will the city move forward and implement stricter traffic rules outside the Sox ballpark in the wake of what happened?
While Chicago Police said they will continue to work with the White Sox to enhance security around the ballpark, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications is responsible for traffic flow and street closures around the park.
The office said it is now evaluating current protocol, but CBS 2 could not get a clear answer from anyone as to what immediate changes will take place – if any.
We also spoke to Ald. Nicole Lee (11th), who said right now anything, and everything, is on the table when it comes to enhancing public safety in the area.
"We can't control idiot drivers at the end of the day," Lee said. "I hate to put it like that, but that is actually the case."
She says she plans to meet with OEMC, the Chicago Department of Transportation, the Chicago Police Department, and the Sox organization to discuss next steps.
"We haven't had an incident of this magnitude happen at least in the year and a few months I've been alderperson of the 11th Ward, but it doesn't mean it can't happen again," Lee said. "But I also don't want to completely over-rotate. Nothing is off the table at this point. I'm open to everyone's suggestions, and really, what are the best ideas to help ensure the safety of all the guests that are visiting the ballpark, and our residents?"
There are many potential options, Lee said.
"So if that means closing down the street, lowering the speed limit, or some other ideas that folks may have, I'm open to it," Lee said. "I really want to ensure that the top priority is to keep the public safety at top of mind."
The OEMC issued this statement:
"The Office of Emergency Management and Communications is working with the Chicago Police Department and the White Sox organization to evaluate traffic control around the park with safety as our top priority. Last night's hit-and-run crash was an isolated incident. The Chicago Police Department will continue maintaining sufficient public safety resources in the area of Guaranteed Rate Field during game days."
Chicago Police also issued a statement:
"Last night's hit-and-run crash was an isolated incident. The Chicago Police Department will continue maintaining sufficient public safety resources in the area of Guaranteed Rate Park during game days. We're also working with the Office of Emergency Management and Communications and the White Sox organization to enhance traffic control around the park with safety as our top priority."
The White Sox answered the following questions we submitted:
Q: We're wondering if there will be any traffic-flow changes or extra security/police placed on 35th and/or surrounding area tonight?
A: OEMC controls and determines the traffic flow on 35th Street and around the ballpark on game days. We would refer you to OEMC for comment about traffic flow, and CPD would have to comment about security/police presence.
Q: Do you know if there are surveillance cameras outside of the ballpark that may have captured the hit and run?
A: Any evidence, including video, has been turned over to CPD for their active investigation.
Q: Any new information you can share would be greatly appreciated.
A: We do want to make sure fans are aware that most can access the ballpark by using the Gate 5 entrance on the north side of the street and then walking across the walkway to the seating bowl. If fans prefer, this route allows them to avoid crossing any traffic.
We remain so appreciative of the speed of response last night from first responders, many of whom were on-site as part of normal operations. We cannot thank those first responders enough, as well as White Sox staff and even caring fans, who administered almost immediate aid to the victims.
We continue to keep the four innocent victims from last evening in our hearts and hope for their full and speedy recovery.