Chicago Man Charged With Leaving Scene of Deadly Motorcycle Crash

WESTCHESTER, IL -- A Chicago man has been charged in the death of a motorcyclist following an accident that occurred early Tuesday morning near Westchester.

Carlos Montenegro, 24, appeared before Cook County Associate Judge Peter Felice on charges of reckless homicide and failure to report an accident involving a death.

The prosecutor said that Montenegro was driving southbound on LaGrange Road near Cermak around 6:17 a.m. July 19, when witnesses reported seeing his vehicle drifting over the center line.

Montenegro struck a motorcycle, killing the driver, Pasquale Mastrodeminico. After the crash, Montenegro backed up his vehicle and drove into a nearby forest preserve, the prosecutor said.

Witnesses directed police to the forest preserve, where officers found Montenegro. He reportedly told officers he was scared after striking the motorcyclist and didn’t know what to do, so he drove away.

The prosecutor said Montenegro made a statement to police that he had fallen asleep behind the wheel on his way to work at a LaGrange barbershop. It is not known if alcohol or drugs played a role in the crash..

Montenegro’s attorney said his client was a student at Northeastern University.
Judge Felice set bail at $100,000. Montenegro is due back in court Aug. 16 in Bridgeview.