Crime & Safety
22-Year-Old Driver Charged in Fatal Hit-and-Run
Michael Epley, 22, was charged in connection with the crash Wednesday that killed Rajendrakumar Shah, a 61-year-old man from Vapi, India, who was crossing at the intersection of 159th Street and 80th Avenue.
By Nick Swedberg, Field Editor
A Blue Island man was scheduled to appear in a Cook County bond court over the weekend in connection with the the fatal hit-and-run accident Wednesday that killed a pedestrian who was visiting the village from India for a wedding.
Michael Epley, 22, of the 2200 block of Prairie Street, was charged with aggravated driving under the influence of drugs and failure to stop after a crash involving injury or death, police said.
Tinley Park police said on Thursday they were holding a "person of interest" in custody. Charges were filed against Epley on Friday.
Rajendrakumar Shah, a 61-year-old man from Vapi, India, was killed after being struck at about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, by a truck while attempting to cross 159th Street at the intersection of 80th Avenue. He was pronounced dead at Palos Community Hospital.
A black pickup truck was seen fleeing eastbound on 159th Street after the crash, according to police. Authorities have identified Epley as the driver.
Patch will continue to update this story.
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