April 15--Authorities charged an Elmwood Park man for allegedly using his car to intentionally hit two men early Monday in the Belmont Heights neighborhood, officials said.
Christopher Ramirez, 22, is accused of striking a 31-year-old man and a 30-year-old man who were on the sidewalk in the 3200 block of North Ozark Avenue around 4:20 a.m., according to a statement from the Chicago Police Department.
The 31-year-old was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood in critical condition, and the 30-year-old was taken in serious condition to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, according to the statement.
Ramirez allegedly fled after hitting the two men and was stopped by police a short time later in Elmwood Park, the statement said.
Ramirez and one of the male passengers in his car were taken to Community First Medical Center, where their conditions stabilized, the statement said. Two female passengers who also were inside Ramirez's car were not taken to a hospital.
"All involved may have been involved in an altercation prior to the accident," said Officer Stacey Cooper at the time.
Ramirez was charged with two felony counts of aggravated battery and use of a deadly weapon as well as with one misdemeanor count of street gang contact by a parolee, according to the statement.
The three passengers in Ramirez's car were not charged.
Ramirez, of the 7300 block of West North Avenue, is scheduled to appear in Cook County bond court Wednesday.
