$75,000 bond in Prospect Heights hit-and-run

A 6-year-old girl will likely undergo reconstructive surgery following a hit-and-run accident Saturday allegedly caused by a Prospect Heights man who police say had a blood-alcohol level of 0.24, three times the legal limit.

Jose Alcocer, of the 800 block of E. Old Willow Road, was charged with aggravated driving under the influence, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident and failure to report an accident involving an injury following the car crash that occurred around 9:30 p.m. in the 1100 block of S. Milwaukee Avenue.

A Cook County judge set Alcocer's bond at $75,000 Monday.

The victim, a passenger in the vehicle Alcocer's car allegedly struck, suffered broken facial bones and lacerations and had several teeth knocked out. Although properly buckled in at the time, the victim was injured when the seat in front of her snapped back, said Prospect Heights Police Chief Bruce Morris.

Alcocer, 47, is accused of running from the scene following the accident, Assistant State's Attorney Shilpa Patel said at the bond hearing. Police tracked him down at home through his vehicle registration, authorities said. Police said he had a laceration on his neck, his speech was slurred and he had a smelled strongly of alcohol. Driving is illegal above a blood-alcohol level of 0.08.

Alcocer had a conviction for failure to report an accident in 2001, for which he received 18 months probation, Patel said.

Alcocer next appears in court on April 24.