A 24-year-old Waukegan man has been charged with leaving the scene of a Chicago-area car accident that killed a pedestrian last Sunday night in Aurora, Illinois.
The Chicago Breaking News Center reported that Aurora police were able to convince the man to turn himself in to authorities after he called several times to inquire about the victim’s condition.
He was also charged with obstructing justice and driving with a suspended license. Police reported he claimed he was rear-ended by another vehicle, which pushed him into the pedestrian and that he used a hammer and crow bar to damage his vehicle in an attempt to prove his story.
He later admitted the rear-end crash did not occur, according to police.
The hit-and-run driver was in a 1996 Mercury Marquis northbound on Lake Street, at 8:38 p.m., when he struck and killed the woman, who was crossing Lake Street in a market crosswalk, according to the Chicago Daily-Herald.
Police say accused driver did not stop and continued on to Waukegan.
Law enforcement continue to focus on prevention of Chicago area pedestrian accidents at night.
In 2008, a total of 135 pedestrians were reported killed in Illinois traffic accidents.