One Driver Jailed For Fatal Crash That Pinned Man's Head Under Car Tire, Second Under Investigation

A Joliet man was jailed on felony charges in connection with a Friday night crash that ended with a pedestrian’s head pinned beneath the tire of a car.

The pedestrian, 56-year-old Mark Cipolla of Joliet, died. The men driving the cars that collided near the corner of Western Avenue and Hickory Street—Oscar Garduno-Lopez, 18, and Jefferson Davis, 21—were both taken to Silver Cross Hospital after the crash.

A blood test showed evidence of marijuana in Garduno-Lopez’s system. He was transported to the Will County jail and charged with six counts of aggravated driving under the influence.

Davis’ blood-alcohol content was above the legal limit, police said, but he was not charged with any crimes. That might change, according to a spokesman for the state’s attorney’s office.

“There is another potential co-defendant that’s under investigation for possible charges,” said spokesman Charles B. Pelkie.

Garduno-Lopez was pulling out of the parking lot of the Western Grocery Store shortly before 9 p.m. when he hit Davis’ car, police said. The two vehicles careened over to the corner of Western and Hickory, where Cipolla was standing.

Cipolla’s head was pinned beneath the tire of a car, police said, Firefighters freed Cipolla and took him to Presence St. Joseph Medical Center but he was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The Joliet police picked up Davis on a drunken driving charge just 11 days before Cipolla was killed, according to court records. Davis was freed on bond after posting $100 and his driver’s license.

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