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 its driver.
On Wednesday, CPD announced that Michael Reznik, 37, has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing injury, aggravated reckless driving, and misdemeanor failure to render aid.
A witness who spoke with police at the crash scene said a dark-colored Bentley passed her by, driving into the wrong lane of traffic on Armitage near Damen before striking the woman as she crossed the street at Armitage and Hoyne around 10:51 p.m.
A CPD report said a group outside the Map Room bar also saw the crash and told the police that the car was speeding.
The force of the collision sent the woman flying into the air, the witnesses said. She landed in the crosswalk at about 2100 West Armitage. Pieces of the Bentley, including part of the front grille, were found nearby. The woman suffered broken bones and internal bleeding, according to CPD’s crash report.
When CPD released the photo of the damaged Bentley, they said a dealer plate was on the car, and they suggested it may frequent the north suburbs, including Wauconda.
Court records show that Reznik was not required to appear for an initial hearing on the charges. According to the documents, he was cited, given a court date of February 3, and released from the station.
In the days following the crash, Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) said he has been asking the city’s transportation department to install stop signs or signals at the intersection of Armitage and Hoyne “for several years.”
“Each day sees several people attempting to cross these intersections safely using the crosswalks while avoiding vehicles traveling at high speeds,” the alderman said.
On Wednesday evening, Waugespack told CWBChicago that CDOT has still not approved any changes for the intersection. He did, however, sign off on using some of his ward’s menu funds to get the ball rolling on some initial safety measures like bump-outs.
