Pre Trial Continues in Deadly Palos Crash Case

Pre-trial efforts continued last week in the case of a Burr Ridge man accused of causing the death of an Orland Park man in a drunken car accident in March.

Nicholas Puccinelli, 20, is facing felony charges after John Anagnopoulos, 64, of Orland Park, died from injuries sustained in the accident.

During a brief court hearing on August 1, more discovery changed hands between prosecuting and defense attorneys, with the next status hearing date set for Sept. 17.

Puccinelli pleaded not guilty to the charges in May.

In the early morning hours of March 12, Puccinelli was driving south on LaGrange Road when he veered into the northbound lane near 105th Street in Palos Township.

Puccinelli struck Anagnopoulos, who was on his way to work at the time, and both were taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn for treatment.

Puccinelli’s blood tested positive for marijuana, amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine and other substances, and his blood-alcohol level was .215 after the crash, according to prosecutors.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

There are plenty of ways to keep up on local news:

• Join Patch. Sign up for a user account and converse with your neighbors.
• Like Palos Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.