Lemont Man Charged In Accident That Seriously Injured Elderly Couple

A Lemont man is accused of walking away from a traffic accident that left an elderly couple seriously injured, prosecutors said in court on Monday.

Frank DeMari, 56, of the 300 block of Wheeler Drive in Lemont, appeared in Bridgeview bond court to face felony charges of failure to stop after being involved in an accident with injuries and failure to report an accident with injuries.

Prosecutors said that DeMari failed to yield when he collided with the elderly couple’s vehicle near McCarthy and Bell roads on June 27. The man and woman, ages 76 and 75, are still hospitalized with severe lacerations and a broken wrist.

After the accident, DeMari allegedly walked away from his vehicle and was picked up by police two hours later. Prosecutors said the Lemont man made admissions that he had consumed alcohol before the accident.

DeMari may face additional charges of driving under the influence pending the results of a blood draw, prosecutors said.

According to court records, DeMari has a pending DUI case from May. The suspension of his driver’s license is expected to kick in on July 4. He also has a DUI conviction from 2006.

Prosecutors asked Cook County Judge Peter Felice for a violation of bail bond for the the pending DUI from May.

“I find him to be a danger to himself and the community,” Judge Felice said.

Bail for the violation of bail bond was set at $50,000, and $150,000 for the new case, with ten percent to apply for both.

Judge Felice also ordered an alcohol monitoring device to be placed around DeMari’s ankle, should he bond out of jail.