CHICAGO – Prosecutors say a Wauconda man is the hit-and-run driver who struck a woman with a Bentley in Bucktown and then fled the scene last spring. Chicago police released surveillance images of the driver’s car the next day and asked for help locating the vehicle and driver.
On Wednesday, the CPD announced that Michael Reznik, 37, has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury, aggravated reckless driving and failure to render aid.
A witness who spoke to police at the scene of the crash said a dark-coloured Bentley passed her and drove in the wrong lane on Armitage near Damen before striking the woman as she crossed the street at Armitage and Hoyne at around 10.51pm.
According to a CPD report, a group outside the Map Room bar also saw the crash and told police the car was speeding.
The force of the impact sent the woman flying into the air, witnesses said. She landed at the zebra crossing at about 9pm West Armitage. Pieces of the Bentley were found nearby, including part of the front grille. According to the CPD crash report, the woman suffered broken bones and internal bleeding.
When CPD released the photo of the damaged Bentley, they said there was a dealer plate on the car, and they suggested it might visit the northern suburbs, including Wauconda.
Court records show Reznik was not required to appear for an initial hearing on the charges. According to the documents, he was summoned, given a court date of February 3, and released from the station.
In the days after the crash, Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) said he has been asking the city’s transportation department for several years to install stop signs or signals at the intersection of Armitage and Hoyne.
“Every day, several people try to cross these intersections safely using the zebra crossings, while avoiding high-speed vehicles,” the councilor said.
On Wednesday evening, Waugespack told CWBChicago that CDOT still has not approved any changes for the intersection. However, he did sign off on using some of his department’s menu funds to get the ball rolling on some initial safety measures. such as bump outs.
