The driver accused of crashing his BMW and leaving an Arlington Heights woman partially paralyzed pled not guilty Friday to charges that he left the scene without calling for help for the critically injured passengers.
Philip Cho, 28, of the 900 block of Amberwood Circle in Naperville, appeared in Cook County criminal court Friday morning. Cho is charged with speeding, failing to report an accident with injuries and failing to notify authorities of damage to his unattended vehicle.
The crash in the 700 block of West Erie Street in Chicago left Kelsey Ibach, 25, paralyzed from the waist down. Three others were injured, including Bradley Schaum and Brittney Zingsheim, both 27.
Police have reported that just after 4 a.m. Sept. 13, the driver of a white BMW lost control of the vehicle along West Erie Street, struck several objects and flipped over, landing on its roof about 25 feet below the street.
The driver fled the scene and couldn’t be located, authorities said. The driver allegedly instructed his passengers to claim the crash was a result of a carjacking before fleeing the scene, prosecutors said.
In court on Friday, the prosecution also discussed medical records from the crash, which Cho’s lawyer objected to. The judge said he would consider the request.
“I’m not saying that (the crash was) not horrendous,” said Judge Nicholas R. Ford. “I’m indicating that I’ll look it over.”
The case is continued to Oct. 23.
The three identified victims have also filed a civil lawsuit against Cho, his party planning business and the nightclub and restaurant where the group spent time that evening.
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