The Wheeling Police Department on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 announced the arrest of Julian Ramirez, age 30, of the 300 block of West Grand, Chicago, in connection with a fatal crash that occurred on Lake Cook Road, west of Milwaukee Avenue on the November 6th, 2024. On the day of the incident, Michael Szpisjak, age 49, of Northbrook was the sole occupant of a disabled vehicle stopped in the eastbound, middle lane of Lake Cook Road when he was struck by a 2022 Audi Q5 driven by Mr. Ramirez.
Mr. Szpisjak was transported by Wheeling Fire Department paramedics to Level 1 Trauma Center Advocate Condell Hospital in Libertyville, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries.
The Wheeling Police Department Traffic Unit, with the assistance of the Major Case Assistance Team’s Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (MCAT-STAR) unit, conducted a thorough investigation. Findings revealed that Mr. Ramirez was traveling at 59 miles per hour in a 45-mph zone when he rear-ended Mr. Szpisjak’s 2008 Smart car.
Further analysis by Wheeling Traffic Investigators showed that Mr. Ramirez was using his cellular phone at the time of the crash. Evidence from the Event Data Recorder in his vehicle indicated no signs of braking or speed reduction prior to the collision.
On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, Mr. Ramirez appeared before Judge Mandeltort at the 3rd District Cook County Courthouse in Rolling Meadows. He has been charged with one count of Reckless Homicide and one count of Aggravated Use of Electronic Communication. During the detention hearing, Mr. Ramirez was placed on home confinement with special conditions.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
— Wheeling Fire Department
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