Men Arrested after Multiple Hit-and-Run Crashes in Lake County
Multiple Incidents Involved
Two men were arrested and charged with a variety of crimes after allegedly causing multiple hit-and-run crashes, one of which left a 9-year-old boy with serious injuries.
According to authorities, Lake County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the scene of a hit-and-run crash just before 5 p.m. in Green Oaks. In that incident, a silver pickup truck had struck the victims’ vehicle and fled the scene, leaving the 9-year-old boy with serious injuries, according to police.
Further Investigation Reveals Multiple Incidents
Further investigation revealed that the silver truck had been involved in at least two other traffic incidents earlier in the day. In one of those incidents, the truck had struck a vehicle at O’Plaine Road and Route 120 in Waukegan, officials said. Immediately following that crash, the truck illegally passed another vehicle, nearly forcing it off the road. A passenger in the truck also fired multiple shots in that incident, though it was unclear who was targeted by the gunfire.
Policing the Truck and Arresting the Suspects
Eventually, police were able to piece together a vehicle description and Highland Park police spotted the truck, pulling it over and taking the two men into custody. Paul Zawojski, suspected of being the driver of the truck, was arrested and faces charges of failure to report an injury-causing crash, drug possession, and open transportation of alcohol, according to police.
Chase Parthe is charged with allegedly firing the weapon during the incidents. Lake County prosecutors will charge Parthe with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and reckless discharge of a firearm, as well as several drug charges, including possession of cocaine with intent to deliver.
Conclusion
The arrests and charges mark a significant step in bringing to justice those responsible for the multiple hit-and-run crashes and related incidents in Lake County.
FAQs
* What were the charges filed against the suspects?
+ Paul Zawojski: failure to report an injury-causing crash, drug possession, and open transportation of alcohol
+ Chase Parthe: aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, reckless discharge of a firearm, and several drug charges, including possession of cocaine with intent to deliver
* How many incidents were allegedly involved in the multiple hit-and-run crashes?
+ At least three, including one that injured a 9-year-old boy
* What was the timing of the incidents?
+ The first incident occurred just before 5 p.m. in Green Oaks, with two other incidents occurring earlier in the day
* What were the circumstances of the second incident?
+ The truck struck a vehicle at O’Plaine Road and Route 120 in Waukegan, and then illegally passed another vehicle, nearly forcing it off the road, and fired multiple shots
