Woodridge Man Charged with Leaving Scene of Accident Causing Death and Aggravated DUI Resulting in Death (DuPage County State’s Attorney)

Salil Chander, a Woodridge man, has been charged with felony Leaving the Scene of an accident Causing Death and felony Aggravated DUI Resulting in the Death of Another Person. Chander is accused of driving drunk and leaving the scene of a fatal vehicle vs. bicycle crash in Lisle. Bond has been set at $1 million for Chander. Cardinal News reported

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin, along with Woodridge Chief of Police Brian Cunningham and Lisle Chief of Police Kevin Licko, held a press conference on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, to announce that bond has been set for Salil Chander, a Woodridge man who is accused of causing the death of a person while driving under the influence and leaving the scene of the accident. Chander appeared at a bond hearing on the same day, where Judge Michael Reidy set bond at $1 million with 10% to apply. He is facing charges of Leaving the Scene of an accident Causing Death and Aggravated DUI Resulting in the Death of Another Person.

The incident occurred on Sunday, August 6, 2023, when Woodridge police officers responded to a 911 call reporting an intoxicated man walking around his house with a sword. The caller later informed the officers that the individual, identified as Chander, had left the house in a silver Kia. Shortly after, the Kia struck a light pole on Nelson Court and Chander continued driving to westbound Green Trails Drive. While driving on Green Trails Drive, Chander veered into the eastbound lane and collided with a sixty-four-year-old bicyclist named Michael Norton from Naperville. Norton sustained fatal injuries, but Chander did not stop to render aid and instead fled the scene. An eyewitness called 911 and Woodridge police officers arrived at the scene within seconds.

Lisle-Woodridge firefighters and paramedics were dispatched to the scene and attempted to save Norton’s life, but he was pronounced deceased at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. Chander was located and taken into custody by Woodridge police officers near the crash scene. It was determined that his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 0.222 at the time of the crash. Chander also sustained minor injuries and was evaluated by paramedics at the Woodridge Police Department.

State’s Attorney Robert Berlin expressed his condolences to Norton’s family and friends, calling the allegations against Chander horrific. He emphasized that Illinois law requires individuals involved in any type of accident to stop and report it. Leaving the scene of a crash that resulted in the death of an innocent person is both illegal and inexcusable. Chief of Police Brian Cunningham echoed Berlin’s sentiments, stating that Chander’s reckless actions would have long-lasting repercussions for the neighborhood, community, and multiple families. Lisle Chief of Police Kevin Licko described the event as tragic and avoidable, expressing sympathy for the Norton family.

Chander’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 1, 2023, where he will be arraigned in front of Judge Reidy. It is important to note that the charges against Chander are not proof of his guilt, and he is presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

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