Garfield Ridge Man Charged With DUI, Reckless Homicide in Archer Crash

A 27-year-old Garfield Ridge man has been arrested and

Patrick J. Brazel

charged in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a woman and injured a man at 10:47 p.m. Saturday, April 30 in the 5500 block of South Archer (near Lavergne).

Patrick J. Brazel, of the 5800 block of South Neva, is charged with one felony count of reckless homicide, one felony count of aggravated DUI, two felony counts of leaving the scene of an accident, one misdemeanor count of DUI and a citation for failure to take proper care when encountering a pedestrian in a roadway, according to a statement released to the press by CPD at 11:08 p.m. Monday, May 2.

Brazel is due in Central Bond Court, 26th and California, on Tuesday, May 3.

Guadalupe "Tita" Chavez Dean

Killed in the crash was Guadalupe "Tita" Chavez Dean, 42, a nurse who became a grandmother six months ago, according to a published report.

She was crossing Archer on foot with a 39-year-old man when a speeding red Jeep struck them, witnesses said. At least one motorist followed the Jeep and provided police with a license plate number and description. 

A short time later, police found the vehicle abandoned, its engine still running, near 59th and Neenah, according to reports broadcast over police radio. Police said they spotted Brazel walking near 59th and Rutherford and took him into custody.

Dean was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where she died of her injuries. The other victim was transported to MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, where he was treated and released.

"My mother did not deserve that. Nobody deserves that," said Damian Velasquez, Dean's son, in a published report. "Thank God my mother was able to see her grandson."

A GoFundMe page set up to accept donations to pay for her funeral has raised $3,290 in one day, with a goal of $15,000.

# # #