A suburban Chicago man is facing charges after police say he took off from the scene of a Des Plaines crash that killed a motorcyclist last summer.
Des Plaines police on Monday identified 30-year-old Christian Antonio Vargas as the driver in the July 27, 2024, collision that killed 31-year-old Nico Watkins. Investigators say Vargas is charged with failing to report a fatal motor vehicle accident and failing to give information and render aid.
According to FOX 32 Chicago, charges were filed last Thursday after a lengthy investigation that included witness interviews and forensic analysis. Police say Vargas was driving a black Ford involved in the crash and ran from the scene on foot before officers arrived. FOX 32 Chicago reports Vargas was scheduled to appear in court Monday at the Skokie Courthouse.
The crash happened around 2:10 a.m. on July 27, 2024, at 967 S. Elmhurst Road, when a motorcycle heading northbound struck a sedan that was exiting a plaza, according to ABC7 Chicago. First responders found the rider unresponsive, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police shut down the 900 block of South Elmhurst Road for several hours while they documented the scene and gathered evidence.
Local reporting from the Daily Herald notes the motorcycle was a 2001 Suzuki GSXR and that officers said it was traveling at a high rate of speed when it struck a 2018 Ford sedan pulling out onto Elmhurst. Witness accounts and pavement evidence helped investigators narrow their search, the outlet reported. The Des Plaines Fire Department tried to save Watkins, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Charges and court schedule
Vargas is charged with failure to report a fatal motor vehicle accident and failure to give information and render aid, according to FOX 32 Chicago. The station reports those counts were filed last Thursday and that Vargas was scheduled to appear at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Skokie Courthouse, where prosecutors are expected to outline any additional charges or next steps in the case.
What Illinois law requires
Under the Illinois Vehicle Code, drivers involved in crashes that result in injury or death must stop, stay at the scene, and provide required information. Leaving instead of reporting can trigger license suspension and criminal penalties. The law details drivers’ obligations and potential sanctions for fleeing, according to the Illinois Vehicle Code.
Police are still asking anyone with information about the crash to contact the Des Plaines Police Department at (847) 391-5400, the Daily Herald reports. The investigation remains active, and authorities say they will share more details as the case moves forward.
The case continues through the Skokie Courthouse process this week. This story will be updated as police or prosecutors release additional information.
