Man, 69, charged in accident that killed 22-year-old pregnant mother

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The man behind the wheel of a deadly drive faced a judge for the first time Saturday.

Matthew Price, 69, is charged with hitting and killing a pregnant mother in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood Thursday.

In court Saturday, prosecutors said the driver has four felony convictions that date back to the 1980's. He has submitted to bloodwork, but results are still pending. Though he is charged with a felony, the victim's family is not happy with either the charges or the amount of the bond that was set.

Price was charged in connection with the hit-and-run death of 22-year-old Jazzalynn Fontanez. Fontanez, who was five months pregnant, was in the crosswalk in the 5900-block of South Halsted on Thursday, heading to a nearby laundromat when Price hit her.

The vehicle dragged her for two blocks before she fell off the car and yet Price did not stop because, according to police, he did not feel safe in the area. He is charged with one felony count of failure to report an accident or death and a misdemeanor charge of failure to render aid. Bond was set at $150,000.

"It should have been a higher bond," said Fontanez's uncle, Angel Velez. "I think that we should really seek more penalty toward these people who are speeding and taking lives."

Gathered at her grandmother's home on the city's West Side, Fontanez's family continues to mourn her loss, still trying to figure out how to explain what's happened to the 5-year-old daughter she left behind.

"Everyone is still in mourning," Velez said. "Everyone is still confused, trying to understand what happened, why did it happen. There's no words that can describe what we feel. No one wants to lose their child, not to a tragedy such as this."

Visitation for Fontanez has been set for Tuesday. She will be laid to rest on Wednesday. As for Price, his next court date is set for March 16.