'He shouldn't have been driving': $500,000 bail for man charged in hit-and-run that hurt girl
A Kane County judge set bail at $500,000 Tuesday for a 42-year-old St. Charles-area man charged with a hit-and-run that critically injured a 7-year-old girl on Mother's Day.
Brian Quartuccio's driving record is "abysmal" with three DUI convictions from offenses in 2004 and 2012 in DuPage County and one in 2007 in Kane County, Kane County Assistant State's Attorney David Belshan told Judge Keith Johnson during bond call.
Quartuccio, who surrendered Monday after authorities said he was a person of interest, also was on probation for felony driving while license revoked in Kane and DuPage counties, prosecutors said.
"He shouldn't have been driving," Belshan said. "This shouldn't have happened."
Quartuccio is accused of injuring Lexi Hanson Sunday afternoon as she rode her bicycle in an unincorporated area near St. Charles.
A black Dodge pickup truck was found a few blocks from the crash scene near Geneva and Courier avenues, and Quartuccio is accused of running off, according to authorities. Lexi was airlifted to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.
Hanson's family has launched a GoFundMe petition to raise money for the second-grader's medical expenses.
Lexi's mother, Jess Hanson, read a statement Tuesday outside the emergency department of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge but did not take questions from reporters. Lexi was in fair condition in Lutheran General's children's hospital.
Flanked by Lexi's father, Bryan Hanson, and stepmother, Jorden Lawler, Jess Hanson thanked "the incredibly fast first responders and our fantastic medical team here at Lutheran General."
"We are so humbled and blessed with all the love and support of our beautiful angel, Lexi," said Jess Hanson, who also singled out Lexi's good friend, Sebastian, "for being so brave and getting us to the scene so quickly."
"In times of tragedy, Valley View and St. Charles always pull together," Jess Hanson said, "and we're so grateful to be part of such a loving community. Our girl is stable. She's in great hands. And she will pull through stronger than ever. Please continue to send love and prayers her way.
"Lexi does have a long road to recovery, but we know how truly lucky we are."
Kane County Undersheriff Pat Gengler could not immediately specify if Sebastian, the boy referenced by Lexi's mother, alerted authorities on Sunday.
Quartuccio, of the 35W0-99 block of Oak Drive, is charged with felony leaving the scene/failure to report death or injury, two counts of felony driving while license revoked, and traffic citations of no insurance and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
In setting the bail amount, Johnson said Quartuccio poses a risk to others and a flight risk because he is accused of fleeing the scene.
"The defendant has a significant driving history here. Based on the driving history and what is alleged in the case, he does pose a danger to the community," Johnson said.
Defense attorney Kelley Flinn argued for a $50,000 bail, saying Quartuccio is a lifelong Kane County resident, owns a landscaping business that is the primary source of income to support his 11-year-old child, and turned himself in to authorities Monday.
If he posts the $50,000 to be released while the case is pending, Quartuccio is not allowed to drive or consume drugs or alcohol.
Quartuccio is next due in court May 23 and faces a sentence ranging from probation to up to 10 years in prison if convicted of all charges.
• Daily Herald staff writer Bob Susnjara contributed to this story.