Police continue to look for a vehicle involved in a fatal hit-and-run Chicago car accident.
The 36-year-old West Cullerton Street woman died Tuesday after being hit by a car on South Halsted Street, according to The Sun-Times. The car left the scene and the woman was struck again by a Chicago Transit Authority bus.
Authorities report the woman was struck by the car while crossing the street shortly after 5 p.m. The force of the impact propelled her into the path of a northbound CTA bus.
Police are looking for a purple or blue, four-door car with a chrome center grill. The car has damage to the hood near the driver’s side headlight area.
Harrison-area detectives have joined the Major Accident Investigation Unit in the search.
Police hope a street surveillance camera will help identify the fleeing driver, according to ABC7.
Witnesses reported the driver of the car never stopped after striking her. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Family members say the woman was married with two teenagers.
In a 2004 report conducted by AAA, 1,557 people were killed by hit-and-run drivers — or more than four people a day. For every one killed, 72 more were injured.
Some of the most common reasons drivers flee the scene of an accident include drunk driving, driving without a license, self-preservation and road rage. Hit-and-run drivers face serious criminal charges for their actions in addition to any civil action to recover damages on behalf of the victims and their families.
In this type of case, most of the time the hit-and-run driver is never caught by police. If that happens here, the family of the victim will be able to pursue a hit-and-run claim against the victim’s own auto insurance policy.
Anyone with information regarding the accident is encouraged to contact the Chicago Police Department immediately.