Man Charged In Connection With Fatal SW Side Crash
CHICAGO (STMW) -- A driver's decision to chase another car caused a crash that killed a 23-year-old Oak Lawn woman, prosecutors say.
Mario Mandujano, 22, of the 4700 block of South Kedvale, is charged with reckless homicide with a motor vehicle and driving under the influence following the Friday morning crash near Midway Airport.
Susan Pintor — a rear seat passenger in Mandujano's car — died when Mandujano lost control and hit a pole shortly before 4 a.m. in the 4900 block of South Pulaski, prosecutors say.
Mandujano on Sunday remained at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, where he was being treated for injuries sustained in the crash. During a bail hearing held without him Sunday morning, prosecutors said he had a blood alcohol level of 0.075 — below the legal limit, but enough for him to be charged with a misdemeanor DUI.
Judge Adam D. Bourgeois ordered him held on bail of $350,000, should he be released from the hospital, noting that Mandujano is alleged to have chased another car which overtook him.
Speaking outside court, Mandujano's attorney, Loren Blumenfeld, said that Mandujano's family believe that he was not chasing anyone, but was instead being chased by another motorist.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
