A 65-year-old man was killed Saturday after a driver struck him with a vehicle during an argument in Chicago’s Gage Park neighborhood, according to police. Witnesses told officers the driver pulled up onto the curb and hit the man, who was taken to a hospital and later pronounced dead. Authorities say the driver then took off, heading east on 51st Street, as reported by WGN-TV.
Police described the vehicle as a blue SUV and said the crash happened in the 5000 block of South Western Avenue, one of the busier stretches of roadway on the Southwest Side, according to WGN-TV.
Western Avenue Has Seen Recent Fatal Crashes
Western Avenue is one of Chicago’s longest and busiest north–south corridors, and it has seen several deadly pedestrian crashes in recent months. Coverage of a deadly semi crash and reporting by Streetsblog Chicago have pointed to gaps in street design and the city’s ongoing struggle to meet its Vision Zero traffic safety goals.
Police Say Circumstances Are Unclear
Chicago police say detectives are still working to determine what sparked the confrontation and to sort out the exact sequence of events leading up to the crash. Investigators are asking neighbors and nearby businesses to share any video footage or eyewitness accounts that might help identify the SUV and its driver, according to WGN-TV.
Legal Implications
If the driver left without stopping or reporting the crash, prosecutors could seek felony hit-and-run charges. The Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-401) spells out a driver’s duty to stop and report crashes and sets escalating penalties when someone is hurt or killed, including potential prison time depending on the circumstances.
How To Help
Anyone with information, dash-cam clips or surveillance video is urged to contact the Chicago Police Department’s Major Accidents Investigation Unit. Anonymous tips can be submitted through CPDTIP.com or by calling 312-745-4521, according to FOX 32 Chicago.
