CHICAGO — An Ashburn teen has been charged with reckless homicide and drunk driving in the death of a construction worker who died after being struck by a car early Saturday morning, police said.
Erick A. Lopez, 19, of the 3700 block of West 83rd Place, was charged with three felonies: reckless homicide in a construction zone; aggravated DUI causing accidental death, and aggravated DUI causing bodily harm.
The 58-year-old construction worker, identified as Jose Tafoya of Merrillville, Indiana, was hit by a car while working in the 4900 block of South Western Avenue about 4:15 a.m., police said. He was pronounced dead on the scene at 5:45 a.m., the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office said.
After striking the construction worker, the driver crashed into a piece of machinery, police said.
The driver and a female passenger were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, police said. Their conditions were unknown. Another passenger, whose condition was also unknown, was taken to Stroger Hospital.
Lopez was also charged two misdemeanors, including DUI.
Police said Lopez was speeding when he hit the worker.
Lopez did not appear in court Saturday, where he was ordered held without bail, the Tribune reported.
