The Lake Forest Police Department announced yesterday, Wednesday, July 10, 2024, the arrest in connection with a hit-and-run crash that occurred on June 3, 2024 that resulted in personal injury. After an intensive investigation involving several witnesses, multiple jurisdictions, and video evidence, officers successfully identified and apprehended the suspect responsible for the accident.
Thomas Walker, age 39, of Wisconsin, regarding a hit-and-run crash in Lake Forest, has been charged with …
FAILURE REPORT CRASH/INJURY 625 ILCS 5/11-401(b) on 07/06/2024 )-Class 2 Felony
AGG BATTERY/USE DEADLY WEAPON 720 ILCS 5/12-3.05(f)(1) on 06/03/2024 )-Class 3 Felony
AGG ASLT/OP MOTOR VEH/STRUCK 720 ILCS 5/12-2(c)(7) on 06/03/2024 )-Class 4 Felony
CRASH INJURY/DEATH/11-403 625 ILCS 5/11-401(a) on 06/03/2024 )-Class 4 Felony
Thomas Walker has a criminal and/or traffic offense history of arrest by the Zion Police Department for Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle, Driving on a Revoked License, and Driving without Valid Registration in December 2023. Thomas Walker was found guilty of these counts, and the case is closed.
Thomas Walker is also facing recent charges involving an Active Case from the Waukegan Police Department, including …
Residential Burglary,
Receive/Possession/Sell a Stolen Vehicle,
Resisting Arrest,
Criminal Damage to Property,
Criminal Trespass to Residence,
Reckless Driving,
Improper Traffic Lane Useage
Fleeing/Attempt Elude Officer, and
other charges.
JUNE 3, 2024 HIT/RUN CRASH
Lake Forest Police Department
First responders from both Lake Forest and Lake Bluff Police and Fire Departments responded about 9:00 a.m. Monday, June 3, 2024 to a report of a vehicle accident with injuries in the area of southbound Route 41, north of Gage Lane. Upon their arrival, police and fire personnel found a black Infiniti sedan off the roadway and rolled over into the trees west of the highway (Route 41). Both occupants of the Infiniti were trapped inside the car. Fire crews worked to extricate the victims, who were later transported to Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital where they were listed in stable condition. Their injuries were initially assessed to be moderate, according to the Lake Forest Police Department.
Multiple witnesses identified a green Dodge Ram pickup truck with a ladder rack and Wisconsin registration as causing the accident. The occupants of the Infiniti and the witnesses told police officers that the driver of the Dodge truck was driving recklessly before the accident occurred, and appeared to intentionally strike the rear of the Infiniti several times prior to forcing the Infiniti from the roadway. The driver of the Dodge was described as a male/white with a beard.
Initial investigation revealed that the offending Dodge truck had continued southbound on Route 41 past a City of Lake Forest law enforcement camera. The image of the suspect’s truck was captured on a Flock License Plate Reader (LPR) camera. The LPR camera captured an identifying image of the Dodge and the Wisconsin registration plate on the truck. Additional canvassing by police investigators discovered video evidence from Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital which showed that the driver of the Dodge truck fled the area through the hospital campus, eventually leaving the area north on Waukegan Road.
Together with the hospital video and Flock camera images, Lake Forest Police Officers identified Thomas Walker as a suspect in the hit-and-run crash with personal injury. Information learned about Walker showed he had an extensive criminal history, frequently fled from the police, and had a revoked driver’s license in both Illinois and Wisconsin.
On June 5, 2024 the Dodge truck was located abandoned in the 2300 block of Commonwealth Avenue in North Chicago. Police officers searched the area and located witnesses and cameras from area businesses. Video and/or photo images showed Walker leaving the Dodge truck on June 3, 2024.
One of the victims from the hit-and-run crash with the Infiniti was able to positively identify Walker as the driver of the Dodge.
As the investigation progressed, the Lake Forest Police Department learned that Walker had been taken into custody on an arrest warrant from an incident in Waukegan. Lake Forest police officers interviewed Walker, who admitted to driving the Dodge and striking the Infiniti.
The results of the Lake Forest Police Department investigation were presented to the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, and the following charges were approved:
Count 1: Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Death or Personal Injury (Class 2 Felony)
Count 2: Aggravated Battery (Class 3 Felony)
Count 3: Aggravated Assault (Class 4 Felony)
Count 4: Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Death or Personal Injury (Class 4 Felony)
Walker was served with these charges while in custody at Lake County Jail. His next court appearance is pending and not yet available. There is the possibility that Walker may be facing additional or enhanced charges.
According to the Lake Forest Police Department, the investigation would not have been possible without the overwhelming witness response received. The Lake Forest Police Department was also aided by members of the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department, City of Zion Illinois Police Department, and North Chicago Police Department. Key evidence from the Lake Forest Police Department’s Flock Camera on Route 41 and video gathered from Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital, helped Officers quickly identify the offending vehicle. Ultimately the collected evidence and information helped Lake Forest police officers locate the Dodge truck, and identify Walker as a suspect.
^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^
facebook …
Please ‘LIKE’ the ‘Arlington Cardinal Page. See all of The Cardinal Facebook fan pages at Arlingtoncardinal.com/about/facebook …
Help fund The Cardinal Arlingtoncardinal.com/sponsor
THANKS FOR READING CARDINAL NEWS
RELATED NEWS …