Bond reduction hearing slated in fatal Mokena crash case

A woman jailed in connection with a deadly Fourth of July crash in Mokena will seek a reduction of her $200,000 bond.

Jansen Ardiente, 27, of Orland Park was slated for a bond reduction hearing Tuesday after she was charged with aggravated driving under the influence, DUI and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident in connection with a crash that killed Alexander Brongel, 50, of Tinley Park.

Ardiente has been in jail since Monday after Judge Elizabeth Dow found a “reasonable basis for the warrantless arrest” and set bond at $200,000, court records show. Ardiente must post $20,000 for her release from custody.

Brongel was a motorcycle operator who died after he was struck by a Toyota Corolla on July 4 on Wolf Road, south of the intersection of 195th Street, Mokena police said.

“The investigation into the crash indicated that Ms. Ardiente had apparently rear-ended Mr. Brongel’s motorcycle while they were both traveling northbound Wolf Road in the 19500 block,” police said.

A criminal complaint filed against Ardiente accused her of having a blood-alcohol concentration above the legal limit and that her DUI violation was a “proximate cause” of Brongel’s death.

Ardiente also charged was with driving at a “speed which was greater than was reasonable and proper with regard to traffic conditions and the use of the highway,” the criminal complaint said.

Brongel died after he suffered “multiple skull fractures and associated trauma,” police said.

A GoFundMe for Brongel’s funeral expenses was established by Ronald Gravitt of Manhattan. The online fundraiser has accumulated $6,285 as of Thursday evening.

“Alex was a Tinley Park guy through and through. He loved to sit around talking about the old neighborhood and the great friends and families that grew up there. He truly cherished those memories,” according to the GoFundMe website.

Brongel was a practiced guitarist and songwriter who recorded his first extended play record with his band Ulterior Motives, according to the GoFundMe website.