Illinois Injury Law Blog

A hit-and-run accident in Chicago has left one elderly pedestrian dead and another in critical condition, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The 82-year-old female pedestrian died on her birthday as she was walking with her 78-year-old friend to get her hair done at a nearby salon. The two elderly pedestrians were attempting to cross the street when one noticed a speeding pickup truck headed right for them. Unable to react quickly enough, the speeding vehicle hit both pedestrians and kept right on going. The two elderly pedestrians were taken to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital where one was pronounced dead shortly after 12 p.m. and the other remains in critical condition.

Illinois pedestrian accident attorneys know that older pedestrians may not have the time to react to avoid a collision, but to leave the scene of an accident is a blatant act of inhumanity. Drivers that cause a collision with a bicyclist, pedestrian or other motorist and who leave the scene of an accident should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The Chicago Tribune reports the search is on to find the fleeing vehicle that hit the elderly pedestrians and kept driving without hesitation. Mailboxes were stuffed and fliers were posted in the Jefferson Park neighborhood while police officials are looking for witnesses or anyone who can give them more information about the fatal accident.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, more than 15 percent of pedestrians killed by vehicles in 2010 were ages 65 and older. There were a total of 115 pedestrians of all ages killed and another 5,174 injured in 2010. Almost 28 percent of pedestrians were killed on city streets and roads and over 3,200 pedestrian accidents were during daylight hours. Cook County was by far the most dangerous county associated with car and pedestrians accidents in 2010.

In June, the Chicago Tribune reported that the city of Chicago will begin a wide-ranging plan to help pedestrians in one of the most dangerous cities in the country when it comes to crossing streets safely. Some of the suggestions include increasing surveillance, implementing pedestrian timers at intersections, shortening the distance of a crosswalk with a curb bump-out and placing median islands at 4-lane intersections so pedestrians can reach safety after crossing two lanes. Many believe that enhancing surveillance and enforcing a stricter penalty for pedestrian accidents can help with the ever-growing problem of hit-and-run deaths that are occurring.

It is estimated that 40 percent of pedestrian deaths in Chicago are the result of a hit-and-run accident, which is double the national average. Many hit-and-run drivers go unpunished because they are never caught.

Elder pedestrians residing in livable communities are advised of the following tips:
-Use less busy streets during non-peak traffic hours.
-Walk in a group whenever possible, especially when crossing the street.
-Always wear eyeglasses if prescribed for distance so you can see oncoming traffic, pedestrian timers, and traffic signals.
-Don't take chances if you don't think you can reach the other side before oncoming traffic approaches.