A judge on Thursday delivered a split decision in the case of Renato Salazar, the man accused of driving an SUV into a crowd outside a Montclare restaurant in September 2022 and injuring four people. In the end, Salazar was convicted only of leaving the scene of a crash that caused personal injuries and acquitted of a series of aggravated assault charges, including attempted murder.
Judge Splits The Difference
The court found Salazar guilty of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving personal injuries, but not guilty on counts of attempted murder, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, according to ABC7 Chicago. He is scheduled to return to court on May 7 for further proceedings, the outlet reports.
Parking Lot Fight Turns Into SUV Horror
Police say it started as an argument inside Las Islas Marias at Bricktown Square and spilled into the parking lot on the 6500 block of West Fullerton on Sept. 10, 2022, where a black Chevrolet Tahoe then struck four people, as reported by FOX 32 Chicago. Family members and witnesses described a chaotic scene as emergency crews rushed to treat the injured while investigators searched for the SUV that had taken off.
Months-Long Manhunt Ends In Suburban Arrest
Authorities arrested Salazar months later in 2023 in Franklin Park. He was charged with four counts of attempted first-degree murder and four counts of leaving the scene of an accident causing injury, according to ABC7 Chicago. He first appeared in court on those charges and was set for bond proceedings following his arrest.
What Illinois Law Says About Hit-And-Run
Illinois law requires drivers involved in crashes that cause personal injury to stop, return to the scene, and provide aid. Section 11-401 of the Illinois Vehicle Code lays out those duties and the criminal fallout when drivers fail to follow them, according to the Illinois General Assembly. A conviction in an injury case can bring felony exposure along with administrative penalties such as license suspension or revocation.
The mixed verdict leaves both prosecutors and defense attorneys gearing up for another round over intent and accountability when the case returns to court on May 7. Cook County court records show the matter is set to move forward later this spring as the parties weigh their next moves.
