Submitted my Evanston Police Department
City of Evanston sent this bulletin at 09/23/2022 02:20 PM CDT
EVANSTON, IL – On September 17, 2022, at approximately 12:40 a.m. Evanston Police responded to the 1800 block of Sheridan Road for a hit-and-run traffic crash. When officers arrived they located an 18 year-old male Northwestern University Student who had been struck by a vehicle.
The initial investigation revealed the victim was a pedestrian attempting to cross Sheridan Road from the east side of the street. While crossing the street, the victim was struck by an SUV that was traveling southbound on Sheridan Road. After striking the victim, the SUV failed to stop and continued southbound.
The victim was treated and transported to an area hospital by the Evanston Fire Department. The victim suffered serious injuries, but has since been released.
The Evanston Police Traffic Unit, assisted by Northwestern University Police Department (NUPD), conducted an investigation. The investigation, which included reviewing surveillance video, identified the offending vehicle, a Jeep Compass, and the driver, Javier Castaneda-Vargas.
On September 20, Castaneda-Vargas was contacted by police and agreed to come to the Evanston Police Department for an interview. As the investigation continued, Castaneda-Vargas admitted that he struck the victim and failed to stop to render aid.
The investigation was reviewed by the Cook County State’s Attorneys Office. The State’s Attorney approved a felony charge for failure to report an accident with serious injuries.
Offender
Castaneda-Vargas, Javier, male 52 years-of-age
4800 block of West Hutchinson Street, Chicago, IL
Charges
1 felony count of Failure to Report an Accident with Serious Injuries
1 citation for Failure to Exercise Due Care for Pedestrian
Bond and Court Information
Castaneda-Vargas appeared received a $100000D bond. His next court date is September 29, 2022, at the Skokie Courthouse.
Read More: Chicago man charged in Sept. 17 hit and run traffic crash