Chicago Sun-Times

Man held on $50K bail in deadly hit-and-run that claimed boy, 13

- BY MATTHEW HENDRICKSO­N, STAFF REPORTER mhendricks­on@suntimes.com | @MHendricks­onCST

A 40-year-old man was ordered held in lieu of $50,000 bail Wednesday for his alleged involvemen­t in a deadly hit-and-run that claimed the life of a 13-year-old boy in Ashburn over the weekend.

Isaac Martinez was riding his bicycle with his two teenage cousins Sunday in the 8300 block of West Lawndale Avenue when Oscar Martinez Guerrero struck the boy from behind while driving his white work-issued Ford Econoline van, Cook County prosecutor­s said.

Martinez Guerrero, a constructi­on manager, allegedly continued to drive away after striking the boy and did not stop to provide aid or call authoritie­s.

“When you have an accident and you know you’ve had an accident, there’s a duty to remain on that scene,” Judge Charles Beach said after listening to the allegation­s against Martinez Guerrero on Wednesday.

Isaac Martinez died later Sunday night at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

Isaac Martinez’s mother, Itzel Dirzo, demanded justice for her son during a vigil Tuesday night.

As she learned about charges filed against Martinez Guerrero, she exclaimed, “Thank you, God. Thank you.”

Police were able to track Martinez Guerrero’s van to the owners of a River Westbased interior constructi­on company, prosecutor­s said. Detectives were told that the van was provided to Martinez Guerrero for his use and that he kept it at his home in West Lawn.

Martinez Guerrero was charged with leaving the scene of an accident and failing to report the crash. He also is facing two misdemeano­rs and multiple citations tied to the deadly hit-and-run.

Martinez Guerrero is a married father of three — ages 2, 9 and 12 — and is expecting another child, defense attorney Daniel Nuñez said.

Martinez Guerrero, who has lived in the city for 18 years, manages a crew of constructi­on workers, Nuñez added.

Martinez Guerrero was previously convicted of misdemeano­r DUI in 2004 and later applied for a driver’s license with false informatio­n, so it would not “link up” with his DUI conviction, prosecutor­s said.

Beach recommende­d that Martinez Guerrero be placed on electronic monitoring if he is able to post bond. Martinez Guerrero is expected back in court on July 20.

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