Green Oaks, IL – Two men were arrested after allegedly being involved in multiple hit-and-run crashes and firing a gun at a witness while fleeing the scene, authorities said.
According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began Saturday around 4:55 p.m. when deputies responded to a hit-and-run crash at O’Plaine Road and Route 137 in Green Oaks. A silver pickup truck had reportedly struck another vehicle and fled, leaving a nine-year-old boy with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Further investigation revealed the same pickup truck had allegedly been involved in a prior hit-and-run at O’Plaine Road and Route 120 in Waukegan. While fleeing, the driver reportedly forced another vehicle off the road, and a passenger in the truck fired two rounds from a firearm, though it was unclear where they were aimed.
A regional broadcast helped law enforcement locate the vehicle near Route 41 and Deerfield Road in Highland Park. A Highland Park police officer stopped the truck and detained the two occupants, identified as Paul J. Zawojski, 29, and Chase Parthe, 31, both of Park Ridge.
Deputies recovered a 9mm pistol and narcotics from the vehicle. Parthe faces multiple firearm and drug charges, including unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Zawojski was charged with drug possession, failure to report a crash causing injury, and other offenses.
Both men remain in custody pending a court appearance, and prosecutors intend to seek their detention until trial.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office thanked Highland Park police for their assistance.
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