CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A west suburban police department said reckless homicide charges were able to be placed more quickly against a 19-year-old man because the department used a private crime lab instead of the Illinois State Police crime lab to test evidence.Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel said that, two days after 20-year-old passenger Brandon Cerero was killed in a high-speed crash in Riverside, detectives were told by the state police crime lab it could be 90 to 120 days before toxicology results would be back for the driver's blood and urine. Chief Weitzel wanted to give answers more quickly to Cerero's family and decided to use UIC Analytical Forensic Testing Laboratory, a private lab authorized by state police.
An autopsy found Cerero, who lived in Chicago, died of multiple injuries from the crash and ruled his death an accident, the medical examiner’s office said.
Investigators learned Arambula was following some friends in the Jaguar when he lost control while trying to pass them, police said.
Arambula was arrested Wednesday at his home in Lyons, police said. In addition to the felonies, he was charged with a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of drugs and issued traffic citations for improper lane usage, driving too fast for conditions, driving without insurance, driving while having never been issued a license and damage to village property.
Weitzel said Arambula has never had a valid driver's license and was previously arrested in Berwyn for driving without a license.
Judge Stanley L. Hill ordered Arambula held without bail during a hearing Thursday at the Maywood Courthouse, according to Cook County court records. His next court date was scheduled for July 29.