Sarah Milcarek was walking across a Chicago street when authorities say she was struck by a drunk driver who kept driving — even after her body landed in his rear window.
Background
The 25-year-old victim was crossing the street at approximately 9:20 p.m. on Saturday when Miroslaw Ciszek, 34, allegedly struck her while driving under the influence, according to Chicago Police Department officials. Prosecutors told the court that Milcarek was flung into the air upon impact and landed in the rear window of Ciszek's Nissan.
Rather than stopping, authorities allege Ciszek continued driving with Milcarek's body still on his vehicle until he crashed into an SUV that had been stopped at a red light. When the SUV driver exited to exchange information, Ciszek allegedly drove away again before crashing into a tree nearby.
"He kept going," prosecutors said during Tuesday's detention hearing, according to local news site CWBChicago.com. "She was still on his car when he hit that second vehicle."
The Investigation
After crashing into the tree, Ciszek allegedly fled on foot from the scene. Surveillance cameras captured him exiting his crumpled Nissan and running away, authorities said.
Two witnesses chased Ciszek as he fled, eventually tackling him to the ground during a struggle. In the commotion, Ciszek reportedly lost one of his Crocs and dropped his car keys before running into a nearby apartment building where he previously lived, police stated.
"He tried to get away," prosecutors noted. "But witnesses weren't about to let that happen."
Meanwhile, first responders arrived at the original crash scene and transported Milcarek to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Police apprehended Ciszek — wearing just one Croc — around 1 a.m. Following his arrest, authorities tested his blood-alcohol level, which registered at 0.088, above Illinois' legal driving limit of 0.08.
Ciszek has been charged with aggravated DUI and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death, along with three DUI misdemeanors. He appeared in court Tuesday for a detention hearing where prosecutors detailed the alleged series of incidents.
Key Takeaways
- Sarah Milcarek, 25, was fatally struck while crossing a Chicago street at approximately 9:20 p.m. Saturday
- Miroslaw Ciszek allegedly kept driving after hitting her, with her body remaining on his car until he crashed into another vehicle
- Ciszek fled twice more before being tackled by witnesses and apprehended around 1 a.m.
- His blood-alcohol level tested at 0.088, above the legal limit of 0.08
- He has been charged with aggravated DUI and leaving the scene of an accident causing death
What's Next
Ciszek was released from custody following his detention hearing and ordered to wear an ankle monitor while avoiding excessive drinking, a judge ruled. His next scheduled court date was not immediately available as of Tuesday's hearing.
The Chicago Police Department continues its investigation into the incident.