Tinley Park Man Flips SUV, Flees Scene on Foot: Police

A Tinley Park man fled on foot after he flipped his SUV but forgot to take along his driver’s license and credit card, police said.

Police sent to the crash on 167th Street reportedly found a Mazda Tribute upside down in the middle of the road and spoke with a 51-year-old resident who told them “he heard a loud crash and went outside.”

The man told officers he “yelled toward the vehicle, ‘Are you OK?’” and “heard someone distant reply, ‘Yes.’ (He then) observed an unknown subject approximately one block east of him hastily walking in a northeast direction,” police said.

Officers determined the “Mazda struck a fire hydrant and flipped back over onto the roadway,” police said, and an officer “observed blood on the driver’s side airbag.”

An officer found a driver’s license in the Tribute for a 26-year-old man named Christopher Costello. Costello’s credit card was also in the SUV, which was registered in his name. A 21-year-old Tinley Park woman’s state identification was located in the vehicle as well, police said.

The Tinley Park police reportedly went to both Costello’s home and the young woman’s residence but no one answered the door to either place.

About 22 hours later—close to midnight—Costello reportedly showed up at the Orland Park Police Department.

“At the station, Christopher informed (an officer) he was driving his vehicle when it crashed,” police said.

Costello explained he was alone in the car when he stopped for a stop sign, then somehow flipped his SUV while making a “sharp right turn,” police said.

“Christopher stated his vehicle flipped, and he did not know how,” police said.

“Christopher was unaware he struck a fire hydrant,” police said. “Christopher panicked and ran from the scene. Christopher was worried he would get in trouble, and did not answer the door when police knocked. Christopher stated he only had minor bumps and cuts. Christopher was taken into custody for leaving the scene of an accident.”

Costello was also charged with improper traffic lane usage, failure to notify authorities about a property damage accident, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, and not having proof of insurance.

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