Elk Grove driver charged with leaving scene of accident involving ejection

An Elk Grove Village man who authorities say was involved in a May 23 crash in which his passenger was thrown from the car was ordered held on $500,000 bail Thursday.

Prosecutors say Levelle Leflore, 24, who's on probation for two 2018 convictions, subsequently fled the accident scene. Arrested on a warrant, he faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries, and aggravated fleeing and eluding. If convicted of the most serious charge, he faces up to seven years in prison. Probation is also an option.

Moments before the crash, Leflore and his passenger were driving on Higgins Road near Oakton Street, when an Elk Grove officer noticed the passenger was not wearing a seat belt and activated his lights and siren, Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Loukas Kalliantasis said.

Leflore sped away, driving as fast as 85 mph in a 45 mph zone, Kalliantasis said. After driving onto a median at Landmeier Road, Leflore drove through an intersection and crashed into another vehicle making a left turn, Kalliantasis said. The driver of that car suffered an open fracture of his foot, fractured ribs and fractures to his left clavicle and wrist, he said.

Leflore's passenger, who was not wearing a seat belt, fractured his left forearm and had bruises to his face, head and body, Kalliantasis said.

Leflore fled on foot. He was identified through red-light camera video, which captured the accident and Leflore leaving the vehicle, authorities said. Leflore's background includes 2018 convictions for aggravated unlawful restraint and cruelty to animals.

He next appears in court Sept. 3.