No arrests have been made in connection to a hit-and-run crash Wednesday night that killed a Chicago-area man in the city’s West Side.
Fifty-seven-year-old William Meritt, of Lincoln Park, died at the scene of the crash, which was reported at about 9 p.m. Wednesday, Chicago Police Department officials said. Car accident reports available Friday do not list any other injuries that occurred as a result of the incident.
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Meritt and a woman, whose name was not publicly released, at about 8:55 p.m. Wednesday were attempting to cross West Congress Parkway in the 2400 block, authorities said. A black Jeep failed to yield for the pedestrians, striking Meritt as he crossed the road, according to car accident reports.
The driver of the Jeep, who has not been identified, did not stop to help Meritt, instead fleeing the scene, authorities said. Car accident reports did not say whether the Jeep driver also struck the woman who was accompanying Meritt.
Meritt was pronounced dead at the scene by officials from the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. An autopsy confirmed Meritt died as a result of injuries suffered in the crash, according to car accident reports.
Medical examiner’s office officials also described the incident as an accident.
The Chicago Police Department Major Accident Investigations Unit continues to examine the incident. Authorities have not disclosed whether factors like speed or intoxication might have contributed to the wreck.
Car accident reports do not list any charges or citations that have been filed in connection to the crash.
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