ILLINOIS — Two Park Ridge men were arrested Saturday after allegedly causing multiple hit-and-run crashes in Lake County, one of which left a 9-year-old boy seriously injured.
In another incident, one of the men reportedly fired a gun while fleeing the scene.
Paul J. Zawojski, 29, and Chase Parthe, 31, face multiple weapons and drug charges following their arrests.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, deputies discovered a 9mm pistol and narcotics inside the vehicle they were traveling in.
Authorities say the men were involved in two hit-and-run crashes, first at O’Plaine Road and Route 120 in Waukegan, then at O’Plaine Road and Route 137 in Green Oaks, where the child was injured.
As they fled, they allegedly forced another vehicle off the road, and a passenger in the truck fired two shots.
A regional alert was issued, and a Highland Park police officer later spotted the suspects’ vehicle near Route 41 and Deerfield Road. Both men were taken into custody.
Parthe faces multiple charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and drug possession with intent to distribute.
Zawojski is charged with unlawful possession of cocaine, open alcohol transportation, and traffic violations.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office is seeking to detain both men as they await trial. Sheriff John D. Idleburg commended law enforcement’s swift response, saying, “All of this led to the apprehension of two incredibly reckless and dangerous men. We wish the child involved in the crash a speedy recovery.”
