Chicago Hit-And-Run Driver Strikes Woman Twice, Kills Her

Though it's a scary thought, it's not hard to envision situations where a pedestrian is struck by a vehicle. And knowing human nature, it's also easy to understand (but not excuse) why a driver who hits a pedestrian would panic and flee the scene. But it is practically beyond comprehension that a hit-and-run auto-pedestrian accident would occur in which the vehicle strikes the victim twice.

That's why Chicago police are asking for the public's help in catching a hit-and-run driver who killed a 43-year old female pedestrian in Uptown last weekend. Early Saturday morning around 1:30am, a car was driving south on North Sheridan Road near Lawrence Avenue when it collided with the woman. For some inexplicable reason, the driver put the car in reverse and backed up over the victim after the initial accident. Then the car proceeded to flee the scene, and the woman died at a nearby hospital about 8 1/2 hours later.

Police have obtained footage from a street camera that shows the car which is believed to be responsible for the fatal accident. The car is a light-colored 4-door sedan which may have front end damage. Anyone who sees this vehicle is encouraged to contact Chicago police.

Of course, it is very important that the driver involved in this tragedy be brought to justice. However, identifying the individual responsible for the woman's death will give her surviving family members an opportunity to obtain relief from a wrongful death lawsuit. They could be eligible for reimbursement of hospital expenses and burial costs, damages for mental anguish and loss of care and companionship, and wages that would have been earned by the woman had the accident not happened.

For the grieving family, receiving monetary damages or a settlement check certainly won't bring back their loved one. But the funds will help ease the financial burden that any untimely death places on a family's budget - so the victim's relatives can concentrate on mourning her death.