On June 8, 2011, 66-year-old Dennis McCann was walking in a crosswalk in Chicago when he was mowed down by Saul Chavez, 36, driving a Dodge Neon. Chavez hit the victim, then dragged his body, still lodged beneath the car, for a whole block, and only stopped after a police officer drew his weapon on the Mexican national.
Chavez had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.29 percent when he killed McCann, according to court records. He was also convicted of a DUI in 2009, and was actually on probation at the time.
For McCann’s death, he was charged with aggravated DUI causing death. ICE issued a detainer for Chavez, but because the city of Chicago and Cook County have sanctuary policies in place, protecting criminal aliens, Chavez was allowed to bond-out, and fled to Mexico.
On July 21, 2015, the victim’s brother, Brian McCann, testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.
An excerpt from that testimony follows:
"On behalf of the McCann family I want to thank you, Senator [Chuck] Grassley, [R-IA]and the other members of the Judiciary Committee for this opportunity to share with you my efforts to return justice to our family after the violent death of my brother Denny on June 8, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. Denny was crossing Kedzie Avenue on a marked crosswalk four years ago and was violently struck by a drunk driver who dragged Denny under his car for a block in an attempt to flee before Denny died. The family was notified by the Chicago Police and the killer was placed into custody and charged with aggravated DUI causing death. Two days later ICE issued a detainer because the young man was an illegal alien with a prior felony.
The family was assured by the Cook County prosecutor that the defendant would not be allowed to post bail and be released. Three months later the Cook County Board passed the ordinance that effectively requires the Sheriff to ignore detainers. During the intervening weeks after Denny’s violent death Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle and former mayoral candidate and Commissioner Jesus Garcia pushed for the ordinance and rammed it through on September 7, 2011.
Two months later the killer made bail and absconded to Mexico. Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of this whole ordeal was that we also learned that this illegal alien was prosecuted for another felony two years earlier and ICE was never notified then. He was removed from probation February 2011 and four months later killed Denny.
In short Denny would be alive today and enjoying the birth of a new granddaughter born two weeks ago if the Cook County criminal justice system that included the county board did their job. I received confirmation that he is indeed in Mexico from the FBI and is currently driving a truck. I had to prevail on my Congressman to get the FBI to cooperate with my request for information and action. I have not heard from the Bureau in over six months.
McCann left behind two daughters and was predeceased by his son, Justin.
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