A Bridgeview man has been charged with reckless homicide in the August 31 fatal crash at 99th Street and Harlem Avenue in Chicago Ridge.
Nooraldein Ghnaimat, 19, was charged on Wednesday with one count of reckless homicide, one count of aggravated driving under the influence involving death and two counts of aggravated driving under the influence involving great bodily harm.
Chicago Ridge police said they responded to 911 calls about 10 p.m. on August 31 of a serious traffic crash with injuries at the intersection.
Upon arrival, officers found two heavily damaged vehicles and multiple individuals with severe injuries. The Chicago Ridge Fire Department and Bridgeview Fire Department quickly responded to the scene, providing emergency medical care.
Chicago Ridge police said an investigation determined Ghnaimat was going more than 35 mph over the posted speed limit at the time of the crash. Police said he was under the influence of cannabis at the time of the crash.
The crash resulted in the tragic death of Ghnaimat’s 22-year-old passenger, Malik Aburas, of Oak Lawn, and caused great bodily harm to two individuals in the other vehicle involved. The other victims remain hospitalized.
Since December 2023, the Chicago Ridge Police Department has issued 168 traffic citations directly related to violations at this intersection, with the majority involving disobeying traffic signals and improper U-turns.
Chicago Ridge Trustee Elaine Davenport explained that Deputy Police Chief Anthony Layman in 2021 reviewed crash reports from 2017 through 2021 and recommended a protected left-turn signal, a longer turn lane, and new signage. She said IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) agreed to make the changes in 2022 but scheduled the work for late 2026.
A neighborhood petition calling for safety improvements has gathered thousands of signatures.
Ghnaimat was scheduled for a detention hearing on Friday at the Bridgeview Courthouse.