Andrew J. Jensen, 23, of the block of 100 South 13th Street in St. Charles, faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in personal injury or death and failure to report an accident or death, as well as failure to yield at a crosswalk. The first two charges are felonies. If convicted of the top charge, Andrew J. Jensen could be sentenced up to 15 years in prison. He could also be released on probation.
Victim Helen Radnoti, 88, of Chicago was in a wheelchair when she was fatally struck by Jensen’s pickup truck about 4:00 p.m. Friday, October 9, 2020 at Third Street and West Main Street in downtown St. Charles. Helen Radnoti was crossing the street with her adult son when she was hit by the truck.
Police say Andrew J. Jensen was driving southbound on Third Street and turned right to westbound Main Street. The driver of the pickup truck did not stop, according to St. Charles Police Department.
Helen Radnoti was transported by St. Charles Fire Department firefighter/paramedics to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Jensen surrendered at the St. Charles police station late Friday night. Charges were approved Sunday, October 11, 2020 by the Kane County state’s attorney’s office.
Previously, Jensen was convicted or pleaded guilty on charges of failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident in 2015, 2016 and 2018, according to the prosecution and Kane County court records. Also, in 2017, Andrew J. Jensen received court supervision on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI).
In court Monday, one of Jensen’s attorneys, Jason Kunowski, requested a bail of no more than $10,000, while explaining that Jensen lives with his mother and sister and works as a service technician for a machine automation company in Hanover Park. Since Andrew Jensen’s father died in August, he has been helping to pay household bills, according to Kunowski.
As of Monday night, Jensen remained held at the Kane County jail on $500,000 bail. Jensen would need to post $50,000 for release. Judge Charles Petersen ordered that Jensen not drive, if he makes bail.
Jensen’s next court date is Tuesday, October 20 at 09:10 a.m. at Kane County Judicial Center Courtroom 319.
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