Driver On Cell Phone In Fatal Crash That Killed Northbrook Man: Police

WHEELING, IL — Following a two-month investigation, an arrest has been made in a fatal car crash last November in which a Northbrook man died from his injuries. Julian Ramirez, 30, of the 300 block of West Grand, Chicago, was charged with reckless homicide and aggravated use of an electronic communication stemming from the Nov. 6, 2024, crash.

Michael Szpisjak, 49, was struck by Ramirez's car while in his disabled vehicle. He was taken by Wheeling firefighters to Advocate Condell Hospital in Libertyville, where he succumbed to his injuries.

According to police, Ramirez was arrested Wednesday and has been placed on home confinement with special conditions.

On the day of the incident, Szpisjak 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 Ramirez.

Wheeling police, with assistance from the Major Case Assistance Team's Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction unit, conducted the "thorough" investigation. It was learned Ramirez was driving 59 miles per hour in the 45-mph zone when he rear-ended Szpisjak's 2008 Smart car. Further analysis by Wheeling traffic investigators showed that 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.