Elgin teen charged with causing, fleeing Schaumburg crashes

A teenage driver from Elgin was charged with failing to report an accident with injuries after, prosecutors say, crashes he caused Saturday were captured by a video camera affixed to one of the vehicles involved.

Nathaniel Rodriguez, who turns 19 Tuesday, was ordered held on $35,000 bail Monday. If he posts bond, he must remain on electronic home monitoring, Cook County Judge Marc Martin ordered.

Rodriguez was in the far right lane of a five-lane road at the intersection of East Higgins and East Frontage roads about 8:45 a.m. Saturday when he crossed two lanes to make a left turn, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Katherine Bird.

Rodriguez struck a motorcycle, knocking its driver to the ground and totaling the bike, Bird said. He then struck a second vehicle, which had the video surveillance, and drove over a raised median into oncoming traffic before fleeing the scene, Bird added.

Rodriguez turned himself in to Schaumburg police about noon Saturday, Bird said. His license plates matched the plates shown on the video and his car had damage consistent with an accident, she said.

The motorcyclist suffered serious injuries that required between 16 and 18 stitches, according to Bird. The second vehicle's driver was hospitalized with back pain, she said.

Rodriguez is scheduled to return to court Aug. 13.