March 22--A Cicero man has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident after he allegedly struck and injured a woman and her 10-year-old goddaughter with his vehicle while they were crossing a busy Cicero street, police said.
Eduardo Gonzalez, 39, of the 3600 block of 53rd Avenue, was arrested on Friday by Cicero police and charged Saturday with two felony counts of leaving the scene of an accident with injuries, according to a news release from the Cicero Police Department.
A bond court judge on Sunday released
Gonzalez was released from jail Sunday after posting 10 percent of a $20,000 bail, according to police.
Gonzalez allegedly struck a 44-year-old woman and her goddaughter while they were crossing Cermak Road near 55th Avenue in the western suburb, police said.
According to police, Gonzalez hit the two pedestrians with his silver four-door vehicle after he apparently gunned his engine to speed up and pass some other vehicles, authorities said.
Cicero police said the woman and the child were in critical condition when taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago, but Cicero spokesman Ray Hanania said on Monday that the victims have since been treated at the hospital and released.
Cicero police said Gonzalez was identified thanks in a large part to police work and widespread publicity including information about the vehicle and damage it sustained. A damaged and missing right headlamp and right mirror were critical in helping police and the public locate the vehicle and identify its driver, police officials said.
Joseph Ruzich is a freelance reporter.
