Two men have been charged in connection with an illegal street race in Naperville that resulted in two people being hospitalized in April.
Jadon Ramirez, 18, of Bensenville, and Sahil Chauhan, 23, of Lisle, face one count each of felony aggravated street racing and felony aggravated reckless driving causing great bodily harm, according to a news release from the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office and the Naperville Police Department.
The crash occurred about 12:05 a.m. April 26 in front of the Courtyard Marriott hotel at 1155 E. Diehl Road. At the scene, police officers found two people seriously injured — a 17-year-old male who was unconscious and had internal brain bleeding, a punctured lung, broken ribs, a broken vertebrae and scapula and an 18-year-old male with a broken arm, the release said.
Investigators determined that Chauhan, driving an Acura ZDX electric SUV, was eastbound on Diehl Road at Mill Street when Ramirez pulled alongside him in a Mercedes CLS500 sedan, pointed at him and gestured that he wanted to race. The pair allegedly sped down Diehl, stopped at the traffic light at Washington Street, and then resumed the contest, according to reports.
During the two races, Ramirez’s vehicle allegedly reached speeds of 90 mph to 101 mph in a 40-mph zone before he swerved and struck a tree, authorities said. The two people injured were passengers in Ramirez’s car and ejected from the vehicle.
At his first court appearance on June 27, Ramirez was ordered to be held at the DuPage County jail. On Monday, a judge allowed Chauhan to be released from jail pending the outcome of his trial, the release said.
State’s Attorney Robert Berlin described the incident in a statement as “astounding” and a “blatant disregard for public safety.”
“Street racing is not just illegal, it is extremely dangerous not just for those behind the wheel, but also for their passengers, other motorists and nearby pedestrians,” Berlin said.
Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres concurred. “There is absolutely no excuse for the type of dangerous and reckless driving alleged in this case,” he said in a statement. “Driving is a privilege that comes with incredible responsibility for the safety of passengers, pedestrians and other motorists on the road.”
Ramirez’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 18. Chauhan is next due in court on July 28, authorities said.