Following an extensive 18-month investigation of a fatal traffic crash case (AHP25-001508) that occurred in January 2025, the Arlington Heights Police Department arrested Eric Dobrolinski, 19, of Deer Park, Illinois. Dobrolinski has been charged with Reckless Homicide, Speeding 35 mph or More over the Posted Speed Limit, Improper Lane Usage, and additional traffic-related offenses. He appeared at the 3rd District Cook County Courthouse earlier this morning (Wednesday, July 15, 2026) for a detention hearing. Dobrolinski was denied pretrial release and remains in custody pending an August 14, 2026 court date.
The investigation required numerous legal processes and countless hours of work by Arlington Heights Police Department Traffic Crash Investigators. Investigators completed a comprehensive crash reconstruction that included vehicle data downloads, video analysis, witness interviews, forensic evidence review, and other investigative techniques to accurately determine the circumstances surrounding the collision, and support criminal prosecution.
CHARGES/COURT INFO
720 ILCS 5/9-3-A Class 3 Felony
Reckless Homicide Vehicle625 ILCS 5/11-601.5B Class A Misdemeanor
Speeding 35+ MPH625 ILCS 5/11-709A Traffic Offense
Improper Lane Use625 ILCS 11-804B Traffic Offense
Failure to Signal625 ILCS 5/3-413G Traffic Offense
Operate Vehicle License Cover625 ILCS 5/3-702 Traffic Offense
Improper Use Registration/TitleCOURT DATE: 08/14/2026 9:00am
The Arlington Heights Police Department acknowledged the assistance of the Major Case Assistance Team (MCAT) Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) Team during the initial phase of the investigation. Their expertise and support were instrumental in the early stages of this complex case. The Department also recognizes the exceptional work of the Arlington Heights Traffic Crash Investigators, whose extensive crash reconstruction experience, meticulous evidence analysis, and unwavering commitment over the course of the investigation resulted in a comprehensive case that supported the successful filing of criminal charges.
Although the crash resulted in the tragic death of a 69-year-old driver and injuries to several others, the Arlington Heights Police Department remained committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation. The Arlington Heights Police Department continues to pursue accountability through the criminal justice process on behalf of those affected by this incident.
The crash occurred on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at approximately 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of Lake Cook Road and Bloomington Avenue. According to the investigation, a 2020 BMW M340i, driven by Dobrolinski, was traveling eastbound on Lake Cook Road when it struck the driver’s side of a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee that was making a left turn from northbound Bloomington Avenue. The driver of the Jeep Cherokee was intending to turn left to travel westbound Lake Cook Road. The collision caused significant damage to both vehicles. The driver of the Jeep was transported to Level 1 Trauma Center Advocate Lutheran General Hospital with life-threatening injuries, and later succumbed to those injuries. Three passengers of the BMW sustained injuries of varying severity and received medical treatment. The completed crash reconstruction determined the BMW operated by Dobrolinski was traveling at a speed nearing twice the posted 45 mph zone immediately before the collision. Investigators also identified further evidence indicating the vehicle was being operated in a manner demonstrating a willful and wanton disregard for the safety of others. Based on the totality of the evidence, felony charges were approved by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Throughout the investigation, the Arlington Heights Police Department maintained communication with the victim’s family and kept them informed of significant developments. The Arlington Heights Police Department indicated police officers and investigators recognize the profound impact this incident has had on the victim’s loved ones and remains committed to seeing the case proceed through the judicial process.
INITIAL REPORT …
Fatal crash investigation at Lake Cook Road and Bloomington Avenue in Arlington Heights on Saturday night, January 25, 2025 (CARDINAL NEWS). YouTube Tips ⓘ
The driver of a Jeep Cherokee died overnight at Level 1 Trauma Center Advocate Lutheran General Hospital after a crash Saturday night, January 25, 2025. He was the victim of a high-speed crash with an 18 year-old driver who was traveling over the speed limit on eastbound Lake Cook Road at Bloomington Avenue in Arlington Heights.
The 69-year-old driver of the Jeep Cherokee received life-threatening injuries resulting from a collision that primarily impacted the driver’s side door. Arlington Heights Fire Department paramedics and then Lutheran General trauma staff worked diligently to stabilize and treat the driver. The driver was revived from traumatic cardiac arrest late Saturday night, but at 4:14 a.m. the driver succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by medical staff.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office was notified. An autopsy will be conducted to determine an official Manner and Cause of death, according to the Arlington Heights Police Department.
The identity of the driver was not initially released pending notification of family members.
Arlington Heights Police Department and the Major Case Assistance Team – Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (MCAT-STAR) unit is investigating a two-vehicle rollover traffic crash involving multiple injuries, and the fatality. The crash occurred in the intersection of Lake Cook Road and Bloomington Avenue, the very northwest section of the Village, just east of the Route 53/Lake Cook Road interchange.
Police, firefighters, and paramedics from Arlington Heights responded to the traffic crash originally reported on Lake Cook Road just west of Wilke Road. The crash was quickly discovered on Lake Cook Road further west between Bloomington Avenue and Wilke Road. Buffalo Grove police, firefighters, and paramedics provided assistance during the initial response.
Firefighters and paramedics removed the Jeep’s sole occupant, a 69-year-old male resident of Des Plaines, and immediately began Advanced Life Support treatment. He suffered multiple traumatic injuries and was transported by Arlington Heights Fire Department paramedics to Level I Trauma Center Lutheran General Hospital for medical intervention of life-threatening injuries. One teenage passenger was transported by Palatine Fire Department paramedics to a local hospital for a non-life-threatening injury. According to the Arlington Heights Police Department, the BMW driver, an 18-year-old male resident of Deer Park, and two teenage passengers were evaluated by paramedics and refused further care. They were picked-up by family and self-transported for medical evaluation.
Lake Cook Road was temporarily closed to both east and westbound traffic east of Route 53 — between Nichols Road and Wilke Road — for several hours while accident reconstruction investigators documented the scene and collected evidence.
Preliminary information indicates the driver of the dark gray BMW M340i was traveling eastbound on Lake Cook Road, at a rate greater than the posted speed limit, according to the Arlington Heights Police Department. The driver of a metallic brown 200X(year?) Jeep Grand Cherokee was pulling forward from a stop sign on Bloomington entering Lake Cook Road. The preliminary information did not indicate whether the driver of the Jeep Cherokee was attempting to turn left or turn right onto Lake Cook Road. The driver of the the speeding BMW struck the driver’s side the Jeep Cherokee with the front-end of the BMW sedan, resulting in a T-bone type impact. Upon contact, force caused the Jeep Cherokee to rollover several times, coming to rest on its wheels in the westbound parkway of Lake Cook Road (the north side of Lake Cook Road). There was significant intrusion into the Jeep’s driver’s side. The force also popped off the grill and front bumper of the Jeep Cherokee. The large debris was located on the south side (eastbound) parkway of Lake Cook Road. The BMW sedan spun around after the impact, and came to rest facing westbound in the eastbound lanes of Lake Cook Road. Both vehicles were heavily damaged, and were located about 180 feet east of the impact location.
The Arlington Heights Police Department is being assisted in this investigation by the Major Case Assistance Team – Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction (STAR) specialized investigative unit. Investigators will pursue legal process to access and obtain any electronic data stored within the involved vehicles in an effort to identify relevant contributory factors. The incident remains under investigation.
The Speed Limit on Lake Cook Road is 45 MPH, according to Google Maps Street View images captured August 2022. Bloomington Avenue is a three-lane roadway with a boulevard median. Two lanes are available for northbound left and right turns to westbound and eastbound Lake Cook Road, respectively. Lake Cook Road is two lanes eastbound, and two lanes westbound with an additional left turn lane from westbound Lake Cook Road to southbound Bloomington Avenue.
No information was released from the Arlington Heights Police Department regarding drug/alcohol toxicology studies, pending charges, citations, or an arrest.
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