Man Charged With Drug Possession After Edgewater Hit-And-Run
CHICAGO (STMW) - A downstate man has been charged with drug offenses after a hit-and-run that left a man with massive head injuries early Sunday in the Edgewater neighborhood.
Jeffrey Mattson, 53, of 26 Covered Bridge Acres, in Glenarm, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, police said. It was not immediately known if further charges are expected.
Mattson was arrested Sunday at 2:15 p.m. at 6060 N. Lincoln Ave., the River Park Motel. Police said he owns a 2010 red Ford Escort that was found in the motel's parking lot.
The car had right side and front end damage and a missing or damaged rear view mirror and it was found after its description was broadcasted over police radio as a "flash message.''
At 3:30 a.m. a red car that was heading northwest on Ridge hit the man at 5959 N. Ridge Ave. and fled the scene, according to Lincoln District police Sgt. Patrick Barker.
A Chicago Fire Department firehouse is located nearby and their crews took the man to Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston where he was in "grave condition'' and being treated for "massive head injuries,'' Barker said.
Police News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli described his condition as "very serious.''
There was no evidence the car left the road and went onto a sidewalk, according to Barker who said it was not raining at the time of the crash and there were no skid marks to indicate the car tried to stop.
The speed limit is 30 mph. There is a red light camera at that intersection, but it was not immediately known if a photo was taken.
Police have witnesses that called in after the crash, according to Barker. The intersection where the wreck occurred has a White Castle on one corner and an empty car wash on the other.
The police Major Accident Investigation Unit is investigating.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
