Chicago Hit and Run Accident Results in Woman’s Death

Common sense tells us that anytime a car accident involves a pedestrian that the results are not going to be good. Pedestrians are no match for the steel and speed of a moving vehicle. However, with immediate medical attention a fatal outcome may be averted. Unfortunately, a west-side Chicago woman was not offered this chance; she was a victim of a hit and run.

Late this evening an 82 year-old woman in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood was walking across the street when she was struck by a car. The motorist not only failed to report the Illinois automobile accident, but also fled the scene. Police were able to apprehend the driver thanks to eyewitness reports.

The automobile driver has been charged with failure to report an accident involving death and for leaving the scene of an accident involving an injury or death. The individual was also cited for operating his motor vehicle without insurance and failure to give the right of way to a pedestrian.

Witnesses report that the man’s car was travelling northbound and struck the decedent while she crossing in the crosswalk from east to west. The witnesses took down the license plate number of the hit-and-run driver, which they reported to police. Using this evidence, police traveled to the home of the offender where they found the automobile parked on the street with damage to its front end consistent with reports of the accident by witnesses.

According to the Chicago Police Department, the now defendant stated that he “got scared and left.” An autopsy is being performed at John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Fleeing the scene of an Illinois automobile accident only makes matters worse. If you or someone you love is involved in a motor vehicle accident, make sure to take down any vehicle information, including license plate number; car make, model, and color; and any distinguishing characteristics of the other driver. And if you have caused an automobile accident do not flee the scene; instead, stay and wait for police to arrive.

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling Illinois automobile accident cases for over 30 years, serving those areas in and around Cook County, including Chicago, Blue Island, Lombard, and Des Plaines.