Illegal immigrant faces charges in alleged hit-and-run wreck


By Len Wells

Posted July 5, 2011 at 11:07 a.m., updated July 5, 2011 at 2:29 p.m.


XENIA, Ill. — A Xenia, Ill., man was critically injured Sunday night when his motorcycle was rear-ended by a car driven by a man police say had entered the United States illegally.

Illinois State Police say that Eber Chapel-Antele, 25, of Mexico, was driving a Saturn at a high rate of speed on U.S. 50 near Omega Road in rural Marion County, Ill., when he rammed a motorcycle driven by Frank Urbanski, 55. Illinois State Police say that Chapel-Antele fled the scene without offering assistance.

Chapel-Antele was taken into custody Monday at a home in Flora, Ill., on multiple charges, including illegal entry into the United States.

Urbanski was taken by helicopter from the scene to St. Louis University Hospital. He was listed in serious condition. The accident was reported to police shortly after 9:30 p.m. Sunday. Several passing motorists stopped to help Urbanski until emergency crews could arrive.

Chapel-Antele remains in the Marion County Jail at Salem, Ill., pending the filing of formal charges and setting of bond.

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