Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested two men after they were involved in a hit-and-run crash and fired a gun at a witness who followed them.
Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies responded about 4:55 p.m. Saturday, March 8, 2025 responded a report of a hit-and-run traffic crash with injuries at O’Plaine Road and Route 137 in Green Oaks near Libertyville. Lake County Sheriff’s deputies learned that the driver of a silver pickup truck had struck the victim’s vehicle and fled the scene. A nine-year-old boy sustained serious, but non-life-threatening, injuries in the crash.
Further investigation revealed that before the Green Oaks crash, the same pickup truck had been involved in a separate hit-and-run collision at O’Plaine Road and Route 120 in Waukegan. While fleeing that scene, the driver illegally passed another vehicle, nearly forcing it off the road. As the truck sped past, a passenger inside brandished a firearm and fired two rounds, though it was unclear where they were aimed.
Lake County Sheriff’s 911 Telecommunicators issued a regional broadcast with a description of the vehicle and suspects. A short time later, a Highland Park Police Officer spotted the pickup truck near Route 41 and Deerfield Road and detained both occupants until sheriff’s deputies arrived.
Deputies conducted further investigation and recovered a 9mm pistol and numerous narcotics inside the vehicle. The driver, Paul J. Zawojski, 29, and the passenger, Chase Parthe, 31, both of the 700 block of North Broadway Avenue, Park Ridge, were taken into custody.
After reviewing the case, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the following charges:
Chase Parthe:
Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon
Reckless Discharge of a Firearm
Unlawful Possession of Cocaine with intent to Distribute
Unlawful Possession of Cocaine
Unlawful Possession of Xanax
Unlawful Possession of Adderall
Unlawful Possession of Cannabis
Paul J. Zawojski:
Unlawful Possession of Cocaine
Failure to Report a Crash Causing Injury
Open Transportation of Alcohol
Multiple Traffic Violations
Sheriff John D. Idleburg said, “Yet again, I am incredibly proud of our team! Our deputies quickly responded to the scene and investigated, while our 911 emergency telecommunicators were able to disseminate information quickly. All of this led to the apprehension of two incredibly reckless and dangerous men. We wish the child involved in the crash a speedy recovery.”
Zawojski and Parthe remain in the Lake County Jail pending First Appearance Court. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office intends to file a petition to detain both men in custody while they await trial.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office thanks Highland Park Police Department for their assistance.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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