Authorities said a Chicago-area man was killed Wednesday night in a hit-and-run crash in Lawndale in the city’s West Side.
William Meritt, 57, of Lincoln Park, was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident, which occurred just before 9 p.m., according to the Chicago Police Department. Car accident reports do not list any additional injuries in connection to the crash.
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Police said Meritt and a woman, whom authorities did not publicly identify, attempted to cross the street in the 2400 block of West Congress Parkway. Meritt was struck by a dark-colored Jeep as he crossed the road, according to car accident reports.
Police said the Jeep driver did not stop to render aid and instead continued driving east on Congress Parkway. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the woman who was walking with Meritt was struck by the vehicle as well.
Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene, but Meritt succumbed to his injuries, authorities said. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office completed an autopsy, which Meritt’s death was due to the crash.
The autopsy also described the incident is accidental.
The incident is under investigation by the Chicago Police Department Major Accident Investigations Unit. Investigators have not said whether they suspect factors like alcohol or speed might have contributed to the incident.
No charges or citations have been filed as of Friday evening. It isn’t clear whether additional car accident reports will be released.
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