Arlington Heights man charged in fatal Lake Zurich hit-and-run

An Arlington Heights man faces charges alleging he left the scene of a fatal SUV vs pedestrian crash 13 months ago in Lake Zurich.

Gary L. Bozza, 67, is charged with failing to report a crash involving death and leaving the scene of a fatal crash, both felonies. If convicted of the most serious charge, Bozza could face up to 15 years in prison.

Police say Bozza struck a 38-year-old male pedestrian about 11:43 p.m. Dec. 17 in the 700 block of South Rand Road. Lake Zurich police responding to a report of a man walking in the roadway saw a dark SUV strike the man and then continue southbound on Rand Road.

Officers attempted to revive the victim but he was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

The Lake County coroner’s office later identified the victim as Jose Portillo of Lake Zurich and determined he died of blunt force injuries as a result of the crash.

Bozza was indicted by a Lake County grand jury Jan. 10 and appeared in court Tuesday for an arraignment. He was not ordered held in custody and is scheduled to return to court on March 4.