Man charged in Archer Heights crash that killed teen sister

A 21-year-old man who allegedly ran a red light, causing a crash that killed his teenage sister in Archer Heights over the weekend has been charged with reckless homicide.

Javier Bautista was driving a 2004 Infinity G35 sedan with his 16-year-old sister in the passenger seat about 4:20 a.m. Sunday when he blew through a solid red stop light in the 4700 block of South Archer Avenue and collided with a Ford Escape, Cook County prosecutors said Tuesday.

Judge David Navarro ordered Bautista held on $100,000 bail.

Chicago Police Department

The judge called the crash “unquestionably a tragedy” but a tragedy “made of some decisions.”

Bautista admitted to drinking earlier at a party and running the red light, according to prosecutors, who added he was drag racing a Ford Escort driven by a friend immediately before the crash.

Cecilia Bautista was thrown from the car and died at Mount Sinai Hospital, according to prosecutors and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Tests results determining Javier Bautista’s blood-alcohol level following the crash were pending, prosecutors said.

Javier Bautista’s defense attorney said his college student client plays in a mariachi band, works at an automotive repair shop and had never been arrested before.

Javier Bautista “tried to beat the light” but was not drag racing, the defense attorney said. The attorney also said he had information the driver in the vehicle that collided with Javier Bautista’s had been speeding.

Javier Bautista is expected back in court on Nov. 2.

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