CHICAGO (WLS) — A 79-year-old man was killed and a lady was injured in a hit-and-run crash on the West Facet Tuesday evening, Chicago police mentioned.
Members of the family mentioned the person’s spouse stays sedated, and when she wakes up, she’ll be taught her husband’s life was taken in that crash. His household informed ABC7 he survived most cancers twice and virtually died from COVID-19, solely to be killed by somebody who, police say, ran by way of a crimson mild.
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The crash occurred at about 8:27 p.m. Tuesday within the 2400-block of West Jackson Boulevard, police mentioned.
Police mentioned the driving force in a black automobile heading south on Western Avenue disregarded the site visitors mild and crashed into the sufferer’s white sedan heading west on Jackson Boulevard.
The affect despatched each automobiles careening right into a pole and a fence. The driving force of the black automobile left the scene on foot, police mentioned.
He beat a lot and for this one factor to take my daddy, that is devastating.
Carol Hymon, daughter of man killed
The driving force of the sedan, a 79-year-old man, was transported to Stroger Hospital, the place he was pronounced lifeless, police mentioned. A 62-year-old girl who was a passenger was injured and transported to Stroger Hospital, police mentioned.
The person has been recognized as Lester Jackson Jr., a two-time most cancers survivor who’s described as a household man. He leaves behind a number of grown kids, together with his daughter Carol Hymon, who confirmed his id to ABC7.
“Each time I give it some thought, it is like I get weak. Like, it is simply not honest,” Hymon mentioned. “I do not need to rejoice Father’s Day, as a result of he is not right here with us. And it’ll be laborious not sending him that textual content message and calling him.”
The married couple have been solely 2.5 miles from house when one other driver crashed into the car they have been in.
“It might’ve been your dad and mom, and also you left them there like that,” Hymon mentioned. “They mentioned different folks ran to their assist to attempt to get their doorways opened, however he took off operating. I hope they catch him.”
Members of the family mentioned Jackson’s spouse, recognized by her stepchildren as Jennifer Moore Jackson, continues to be in vital situation at Stroger Hospital, however is predicted to outlive.
“She’s going to be devastated… she do not know,” Hymon mentioned.
A two-time most cancers survivor who additionally barely beat COVID, the 79-year-old retired great-grandfather is being remembered as an avid fisherman who was a significant patriarch in his household.
“He beat a lot and for this one factor to take my daddy, that is devastating,” Hymon mentioned.
A mangled iron fence remained on the scene as proof of the crash that has left some within the neighborhood shocked, however not shocked.
“They journey quick on a regular basis down Western,” neighborhood resident Sarah Johnson mentioned. “It is fairly busy trigger it is a principal avenue.”
One man mentioned he noticed the aftermath of the crash moments after it occurred.
“We barely seen it,” he mentioned. “We have been coming in late, however it was tousled proper there.”
Wednesday, metropolis employees might be seen testing the site visitors alerts on the intersection the place the accident occurred, too little too late for some who say extra must be achieved to make the busy avenue safer.
“Someday, they run proper by way of the sunshine,” Johnson mentioned. “Possibly they should put some cameras right here or one thing.”
Police are nonetheless trying to find the driving force of the black sedan who took off on foot following the accident.
Nobody is in custody and Main Accident detectives are investigating.
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