A Deer Park man has been arrested on a criminal charge nearly two years after he allegedly fatally struck a bicyclist with his vehicle in Barrington Hills and fled the scene.
Tommy G. Walker III, 42, on Wednesday turned himself in on a felony warrant charging leaving the scene of a crash involving death, according to authorities. A bond hearing will be held at the Cook County Courthouse in Rolling Meadows, a press release from the Barrington Hills Police Department stated.
A press release did not state whether Walker had hired a top accident lawyer to represent him in the upcoming criminal proceedings.
Authorities said Walker was driving on Illinois 59 at about 10 p.m. May 11, 2018, when he struck a bicyclist. The bicycle rider, identified as 28-year-old Rafal Ryndak, of Schiller Park, was thrown through the air, police said.
By the time emergency responders arrived at the scene, Ryndak was unresponsive, according to police. He later was pronounced dead from his injuries.
Ryndak’s brother launched a GoFundMe campaign after the incident to raise money for funeral expenses. He ended up raising more than $17,000, passing his $15,000 goal.
“Please join the last ride with Rafal,” organizers wrote in the post.
According to local media reports, police officials conducted a lengthy investigation that involved witness interviews and the examination of forensic evidence found at the crash site.
The felony charge carries a maximum seven-year prison sentence upon conviction. A top accident lawyer likely will be needed to help Walker navigate the judicial process.
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