Drunken Driver Charged In Crash That Killed Bicyclist In Pilsen
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Authorities have charged a man with slamming into a bicyclist and killing him in the Pilsen neighborhood, then driving off.
Ignacio Ramirez, 38, of the 500 block of West Walton Street, has been charged with aggravated driving under the influence, reckless homicide, aggravated fleeing police, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident in the crash that killed Frederick Kobrick, 30, on 18th Street near Carpenter Street around 1 a.m. Tuesday.
He is also accused of failing to stop at a stop sign, and driving without a license or insurance, police said.
On Wednesday, he was ordered held without bond and a preliminary hearing was set for Aug. 26, according to the Cook County Sheriff's office.
Ramirez was arrested in the 1400 block of South Halsted Street following the fatal crash, police said.
Friends say Kobrick was an avid artist and photographer who devoted his life to peace.
"I turned the corner and saw my best friend in the whole world -- you know I loved that man – I saw him laying there lifeless," said Kobrick's friend, Grant Peterson.
Bicyclists who live in the Pilsen area stopped by the scene where Kobrick was hit and killed throughout the morning Tuesday.
A ghost bike, one of the bicycles painted white to serve as a memorial for a bicyclist killed by the car, is expected to be placed at 18th Street for Kobrick.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
