Deetjen Charged With Misdemeanors In Pedestrian Accident

CHICAGO RIDGE, IL — Oak Lawn Village Manager Larry Deetjen has been charged in an accident in which he is accused of striking a pedestrian and leaving the scene.The 70-year-old village manager, who was placed on paid administrative leave, was charged with five misdemeanors ranging from failing to exercise due caution to leaving the scene and failing to render aid to an injured person

Chicago Ridge investigators have reportedly been meeting with Cook County assistant state’s attorneys in the Bridgeview Courthouse reviewing evidence and case law. Deetjen faces the following charges:

• leaving the scene of an accident
• failure to give information and render aid resulting in injury or death to any person or damage to any vehicle;
• failure to give information after striking a person or property;
• failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident/driving too fast for conditions
• failure to exercise due caution.

Around 8:30 p.m. Oct. 10, Deetjen hit a 48-year-old Worth man near 101st Street and Harlem Avenue in Chicago Ridge and continued driving, police said. Witnesses told police that a Crown Victoria with municipal plates struck the man, and were able to provide a plate number.

The pedestrian was knocked unconscious and taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Witnesses told police that a Crown Victoria with municipal plates struck the man, and were able to provide a plate number. The car was eventually determined to be registered to the Village of Oak Lawn. Police found the car parked in front of Deetjen’s condominium building in the 5100 block of West 96th Street. Deetjen has maintained that he was unaware that he had hit a person until Chicago Ridge police officers showed up at his door.

Deetjen surrendered himself this week at the Chicago Ridge police station, where he posted $250 bond, or 10 percent of $2,500.

According to Chicago Police, Deetjen has been cooperating fully with the investigation. Deetjen took a Breathalyzer test the night of the accident. Results indicated that there was no presence of alcohol. Deetjen’s urine samples were sent to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab. Chicago Ridge Deputy Chief Jim Jarolimek said the urinalysis came back negative for the presence of alcohol, cannabis, opiates or any other controlled substances.

Jarolimek also said that video from a nearby business showing a car hitting a pedestrian“happens really fast." The Worth man has reportedly left the hospital and in a rehabilitation facility. His condition is still critical.

Oak Lawn police issued a statement Friday afternoon announcing that village officials had been apprised of the charges against Deetjen.

“The village has requested all pertinent documents and will be reviewing them prior to making a determination. The Oak Lawn Village Board will convene to review the matter in its entirety and to make a determination on any further action.”

Deetjen was placed on administrative leave by the village board last month pending the outcome of the investigation. Deetjen has a court appearance set for Dec. 10 in Bridgeview.