John Ardelean Case

Following an extensive investigation involving an independent accident reconstruction expert, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office has concluded that there is insufficient evidence to bring additional charges against Chicago Police Officer John Ardelean in an accident that claimed two lives last November. The reexamination of the evidence in the case against Ardelean was supervised by First Assistant State’s Attorney Robert Milan. Initially, the case was charged as a misdemeanor by Chicago Police. Later, it was upgraded to felony charges after a review by the State’s Attorney’s office.

Unfortunately, Ardelean was not given a Breathalyzer until approximately seven hours after the accident last Nov. 22 at the intersection of Damen and Oakdale Avenues that claimed the lives of Miguel Flores, 22, and Erick Lagunas, 21. That time gap prevented authorities from ascertaining a timely blood-alcohol level. In addition, the majority of the witnesses said there was no indication that Ardelean was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash.

Paramedics at the scene said that Ardelean did not appear to be drunk. A bartender at the tavern where Ardelean had been prior to the accident testified that the officer only had two drinks. After upgrading the charges, the state’s attorney’s office put the case on before a judge at a preliminary hearing. The judge found there was no probable cause to proceed with the case.

Nonetheless, subsequent to the preliminary hearing the State’s Attorney’s office, Bob Milan conducted a full review of the evidence. As part of that review, the State’s Attorney’s office interviewed more than a dozen additional witnesses and hired an accident reconstruction expert to examine the evidence from the crash scene.
Mr. Roger Barrette, of Cooper Barrette Consulting LLC ., of Lake Zurich, found that Lagunas rolled through the stop sign and then accelerated, apparently when he spotted Ardelean’s SUV bearing down on him. Ardelean had the right of way and did not have a stop sign at the intersection.

Given the totality of the evidence and subsequent independent investigation, it is our   conclusion that there is no substantial basis for proceeding with charges beyond the preliminary hearing.

The State’s Attorney’s office has met with the families of the two victims to explain the evidence and the decision.

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