Illinois woman faces new charges in I-74 bridge walkway deaths

MOLINE, Ill. — An East Moline woman accused of hitting three pedestrians with a vehicle on the new Interstate 74 bridge walkway faces new and modified charges after a second man died Thursday.

Three men were hit by an SUV at about 2 a.m. Sunday while they were on the bridge’s pedestrian walkway, according to authorities.

Ethan Gonzalez, 21, was killed at the scene. Anthony M. Castaneda, 18, of Moline, died Thursday. At last report, Charles Bowen, 22, was in critical condition.

The Rock Island County State’s Attorney’s Office said Chhabria A. Harris, 46, drove her Cadillac Escalade onto the new walkway from the Bettendorf side and traveled the length of the span, striking the men about 200 yards from the Moline, Ill., walkway entrance, according to authorities.

Harris left the scene and was found in East Moline getting out of her SUV.

Harris initially was charged with one count of reckless homicide, now mended to two charges with the death of Castaneda.

Harris also is charged with three counts of aggravated driving under the influence-great bodily injury or death; three counts of failure to stop after a crash causing personal injury or death; and three charges of aggravated reckless driving.

The aggravated DUI charges now specify two counts involving death and one involving great bodily harm, the news release said.

Harris also faces traffic citations filed by police who investigated the scene.

Authorities police located Harris, she was taken to UnityPoint Hospital on suspicion of driving under the influence, according to the state's attorney's office.

Once released from the hospital, Moline police took her into custody, and formal charges were filed Monday.

She remains in the Rock Island County Jail on a $2 million bail, according to court records. Her next court date is June 7.