Cops: Bensenville man hit construction worker

A Bensenville man was charged with drunken driving and leaving the scene of an accident after he rolled into a construction zone and seriously injured a road worker, authorities said Tuesday.

Amilcar Ramos-Garcia, 25, appeared in DuPage County bond court in connection with the 10:36 a.m. crash Monday on Route 83, just south of Thorndale Avenue, in Bensenville.

Authorities said he was southbound in a 2001 Mitsubishi when he entered a lane blocked off for road construction and struck a male worker. The victim was taken to a hospital with serious injuries, Police Chief Frank Kosman said, citing preliminary reports.

Afterward, a group of motorists who witnessed the crash followed Ramos-Garcia south to a gas station in the area of Route 83 and Foster Avenue, where police took him into custody.

“I’m glad he was stopped before he was able to hurt anybody else,” Kosman said, crediting the motorists for aiding in the arrest.

DuPage County Judge Elizabeth Sexton set bail at $100,000, meaning Ramos-Garcia would have to post $10,000 to be released. He faces charges of aggravated driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident involving injury, failure to yield to a construction worker, driving with a suspended license and operating an uninsured vehicle.

State’s Attorney Bob Berlin said there are laws in place specifically to protect construction workers.

“It’s unfortunate when something like this happens,” he said. “People need to pay attention and stay off their cellphones, and hopefully we can eliminate the dangers to these workers.”

The victim’s construction firm could not immediately be reached for an update on his condition.

Assistant State’s Attorney Joe Baumann said Ramos-Garcia has prior arrests for obstructing justice and drunken driving. He is scheduled to appear Nov. 1 before Judge Blanche Hill Fawell.