A 65-year-old woman was struck and killed Sunday night while walking in a crosswalk on Chicago’s Northwest Side, in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood along Central Avenue. Witnesses told police a pickup truck hit her and then took off. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene, and no other injuries were reported.
Police: Red Pickup Fled Southbound
According to Chicago police, the collision happened around 9:30 p.m. in the 3100-block of North Central Avenue when a red pickup hit a person who was using the crosswalk, then continued southbound without stopping. Video from the scene showed officers examining a pickup that matched the description of the suspect vehicle. The CPD Major Accident Investigations Unit has opened a hit-and-run investigation, ABC7 Chicago reported.
Pedestrian Safety Concerns
The deadly crash highlights broader concerns about how dangerous streets can be for people on foot. Smart Growth America’s Dangerous by Design 2024 report found pedestrian deaths have climbed to a 40-year high and that older adults face disproportionately higher risks from traffic violence, particularly along high-speed commercial corridors. The national findings underscore how the design and speed of busy arterials can make crossings especially hazardous for older pedestrians, a pattern seen in many city neighborhoods. As Smart Growth America outlines, advocates argue that changes to infrastructure and enforcement are essential to reducing these fatalities.
Police have not released the woman’s name. The Major Accident Investigations Unit is leading the case, according to ABC7 Chicago. The investigation remains active, and authorities are asking anyone with information to contact investigators.
