Arrest Warrant Issued For June Chicago Fatal Hit-and-Run Suspect

This time of year is supposed to be filled with love and good cheer. But it won't be for one Chicago family who is spending its first holiday season without their child. That's because the girl died this spring after being struck by a hit-and-run driver near her house.

Back on June 14, an eight-year old girl was riding her bicycle on West 62nd Place near Spaulding Avenue in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood. About 4:30pm, the girl was hit by a sport utility vehicle which fled the scene after the accident. The force of the impact knocked the girl's body underneath a parked car, and she succumbed to her injuries early the following morning at a nearby hospital.

This week, Chicago Police issued an arrest warrant for the person they believed to be behind the wheel of the SUV. The 23-year old suspect is described as an African-American male about 5'9" tall and weighing about 160 pounds. His last known address is about a quarter mile southeast of the accident site.

Certainly, if this man is arrested, he will face criminal charges which carry stiff penalties. But it will also give the girl's family an opportunity to file a wrongful death lawsuit against him if they want to do so. (Technically, they can file such a suit against him while he is at large, but there is little hope of actually collecting damages if he is not around.) This type of lawsuit could allow the family to obtain reimbursement for hospitalization and burial costs. They might also receive damages for emotional suffering as well as compensation for lost future wages.

Perhaps most importantly, finding the person who was responsible for the death of their child might bring the grieving family some closure. Because it will be awfully difficult for this family to enjoy a happy holiday season this month.