Glenview man charged in death of Tri-State construction worker from Bartlett

A Glenview was denied bail Friday on multiple charges, including reckless homicide, in connection with the death of a Bartlett man working for the Illinois Tollway in September in a construction zone near Des Plaines, Illinois State Police announced Saturday.

Frank Caputo, 59, of Bartlett, remembered as a father, Cubs fan and karaoke lover, was repairing pavement in a Tri-State Tollway work zone near Touhy Avenue at 10:17 p.m. Sept. 14 when he was struck by a vehicle driven by Stephen W. Karakosta, 26, of Glenview, state police said.

The left two lanes at this location, which had 45-mph construction zone speed signs posted, were closed, and traffic was slowed due to the ongoing construction.

The investigation found that a black Infinity being driven by Karakosta drove fast into the closed lanes, striking Caputo and also hitting a large concrete cutting saw and an unoccupied parked construction vehicle with a trailer attached, state police said. Caputo was pronounced dead at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital; Karakosta was treated there for injuries that were not life-threatening and released.

Karakosta's other charges include driving under the influence of drugs involving death, possession of a controlled substance, aggravated speeding, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and improper lane usage. He also was arrested on an warrant for a parole violation out of Berrien County, Michigan, state police said. His next court date is Dec. 20 in Skokie.