Wheaton Police Respond to Fatal Crash

At approximately 4:47 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, the Wheaton Police Department responded to a report of an unconscious man lying in the roadway on eastbound Butterfield Road near Scottdale Circle. A citizen in the area observed the man and called 9-1-1.

Wheaton Police Officers arrived on scene and determined that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle that left the scene of the crash. The pedestrian has been identified as 25-year old Jared Barnes of Glen Ellyn. Mr. Barnes suffered life-threatening injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The MERIT (Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigative Response Team) Major Crime Crash Reconstruction Team responded to investigate the crash. Eastbound Butterfield Road was shut down for several hours while officers and investigators collected evidence on scene.

With assistance from surrounding police departments, police located the alleged offending vehicle, a Hyundai Sonata with heavy front-end damage, in a neighboring town after the crash. The alleged driver of the vehicle was identified as 26-year-old Miguel Angel Abrego-Abrego of Aurora. He was taken into custody and transported to the Wheaton Police Department.

Based upon the initial investigation into this case, Wheaton Police Detectives contacted the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office. The alleged offender has been charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Death, a Class 1 Felony, and issued traffic citations for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident and Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle.

Because this crash is still under investigation, no further information will be released at this time.

The Wheaton Police Department expresses its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jared Barnes and to all the community members affected by this loss.

"A young man's life was taken too soon in this crash, and the offender needs to be accountable for this crime," said Wheaton Police Chief Princeton J. Youker. "I'd like to acknowledge the hard work of the responding police officers, MERIT Crash Reconstruction Team, and officers from surrounding communities for their coordinated effort to quickly identify and apprehend the alleged offender. I'd also like to thank the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office for their commitment to bringing justice in this case."

The alleged offender's next court date is scheduled for Oct. 7, 2024.

Notice to Public: The public is reminded that a complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant's guilt. Constitutionally, a defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government's burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Miguel Angel Abrego-Abrego

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