Bugle Newspapers 3-17-22

MaRCH 16, 2 0 2 2 Vol . 6 6 I ss u e 22

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news from plainfield Joliet shorewood lockport Crest Hill bolingbrook Romeoville downers grove Westmont Woodridge lisle niles Morton grove park Ridge & more

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loCal

Edward Foundation awards $22,000 in scholarships to student volunteers

The Edward Foundation has awarded $22,000 in scholarships to 11 Edward Hospital student volunteers, who greet visitors, deliver flowers, transport patients and assist behind the scenes at the hospital.

Each of the students from area high schools will receive a $2,000 dollar scholarship.

Local winners are: • Kati Asenova, Bolingbrook, Bolingbrook High School • Sofiya Asenova, Bolingbrook, Bolingbrook High School • Nicole Eldrenkamp, Lisle, Benet Academy • Sreya Simhadri, Plainfield, Plainfield North High School • Jacqueline Yap, Naperville, Benet Academy The Edward Foundation was established in 1990 and has raised more than $54.5 million in its mission to support Edward Hospital’s community healthcare initiatives, invest in

advanced diagnostic and treatment technology, and world-class medical professionals, and deliver the highest quality care to almost 1.7 million patients within the area it serves. To make a donation or for more information about the Foundation, call (630) 527-3954 or visit www.edwardfoundation.org.

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dupage CounTy

$50,000 bond for Woodridge man accused of fatal hit and run DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Burr Ridge Chief of Police John Madden announced today that bond has been set for a Woodridge man charged with leaving the scene after he struck and killed sixteen-year-old Alex Hunt with his vehicle. Marvin Mejia, 18 (d.o.b.

3/12/2003) of the 1300 block of Tower Hill Road, appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Michael Reidy set bond at $50,000 with 10% to apply. Mejia has been charged with one count of Failure to Report an Accident Involving Death, a Class 1 Felony.

On March 5, 2022, at approximately 9:23 p.m., Burr Ridge patrol units responded to the intersection of Route 83 and Central Avenue for a report of a pedestrian who had been

struck by a vehicle. Upon their arrival, officers located the victim, Alex L. Hunt, laying on the side of the roadway approximately 150 feet south of the intersection. Authorities immediately transported Hunt to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries during emergency surgery and was pronounced deceased. Following an investigation into the matter, it is alleged that Hunt was walking eastbound across the intersection when southbound traffic had a green signal when a dark colored SUV, later determined to be driven by Mejia, struck Hunt with its front passenger side and knocked him to the ground.

It is further alleged that after striking Hunt, Mejia fled the scene in his vehicle.

“To the family and friends of Alex,

I offer my sincerest condolences on their loss,” Berlin said. “Experiencing the sudden, tragic loss of a young promising life is devastating and I wish them solace and strength as they continue their lives with just their memories of Alex to see them through. I commend the Burr Ridge Police Department for their outstanding work on this case as well as the Northern Illinois University Police Department and the Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigative Team Major Crash Reconstruction Team for their assistance.

I thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Louisa Nuckolls and Helen Kapas for their efforts in preparing a strong case against Mr. Mejia.”

“I extend my condolences to Alex’s family, and I hope the quick conclu-

sion of this case can bring them a sense of closure,” Madden said. “I would like to thank my detectives, who have been here day and night, interviewing multiple witnesses, and gathering evidence. They were determined to solve this case. Thank you to Chief Darren Mitchell, Detective Moore, and the members of the Northern Illinois University Police Department who assisted with this investigation. Thank you to the members of the Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigative Team

Major Crash Investigators, and the media outlets that made sure this important story was covered.”

Mejia’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 12, 2022, for arraignment in front of Judge Reidy.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

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