Tinley Cop Could Face Up To Three Years For Hit-And-Run

Tinley Park police officer John Leonard, 37, accused of in Frankfort at about 1 a.m. May 1, has been charged with leaving the scene of personal injury accident, a Class 4 felony, the Will County State's Attorney's Office said.

Office spokesman Chuck Pelkie said the warrant was issued Friday afternoon. If convicted, Leonard could face one to three years in prison, although he could also be eligible for parole, Pelkie said. The passenger in the vehicle was not injured severely but was taken to the hospital.

"(Leonard) was expected to surrender to the police department on Friday evening," Pelkie said.

His bail was set at $35,000, meaning he would have to post $3,500 bond.

Frankfort Police were unable to confirm if Leonard did turn himself in and bond out Friday night, as both Cmdr. Robert Krause and Police Chief John Burica were out on Monday and staff is not authorized to release information.

However, there was no record of Leonard at the Will County Jail, which would have been his next destination if he hadn't bonded out at the police station. His next court date would have been set when he posted bond.

Tinley Park police placed Leonard on administrative leave last week. Police Cmdr. Steve Vaccaro could not immediately be reached Monday to comment on the new charges.

"At this point it's a personnel matter," Vaccaro said last Wednesday. "We are doing our own internal investigation."