$10,000 Reward Offered To Driver Who Struck Deerfield 12-Year-Old

DEERFIELD, IL — The family of a critically injured Deerfield sixth-grader who has special needs has offered a $10,000 reward for the identity of the driver who struck him and left him lying unconscious in the street. The reward can even be claimed by the hit-and-run driver him or herself, according to the boy's father and Deerfield police.

Chase Thompson, 12, was hit by a driver headed west on Deerfield Road at Beverly Place shortly before 7:15 p.m. Friday, according to police. Thompson, who attends Caruso Middle School, has autism and is non-verbal, according to family members.

"He's severely injured, and he is still touch-and-go, but we're hoping and praying," his father, Thad Thompson, said. "The person who left, I don't blame them for the accident. We do blame them for leaving. But if they come back, we forgive them for that."

Investigators believe the driver who struck Chase Thompson and left was behind the wheel of a dark-colored Ford Escape made between 2013 and 2016. Police said the SUV may have an SEL or Titanium trim package, and it may have extensive damage to its front passenger side.

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Paramedics took the boy to Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. He was later transferred to Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago, where he remained in critical condition Monday.

Outside the hospital, Thad Thompson told reporters his son had left home alone without shoes or a jacket before running into the nearby road.

"He managed to get out of a couple doors at our house that we were unaware that he had figured out how to get out of, he ran right into Deerfield Road," Thompson said. "And someone who really, probably, didn't have a chance hit him. It wasn't their fault unless they were impaired or texting in some way, but even if they were, we understand that."

After at least another week in the intensive care unit, Chase is expected to undergo reconstructive surgeries and has a lengthy hospital stay ahead of him, according to an online fundraiser set up to help the family with expenses.

Police are continuing to seek to identify the driver who struck the boy. They asked anyone with information about the incident to contact the Deerfield Police Department at 847-945-8636.

Earlier: Hit-And-Run Driver Strikes 12-Year-Old In Deerfield, Police Say

The boy's father urged the driver to turn him or herself in.

"We do understand that this was an accident and you made a massive mistake in a moment of fear, and we can forgive that, and to prove that to you we'll put our money toward your defense," Thompson said. "You can clear your own conscience, and help our son, and help us, and help a lot of other people if you will just come forward. Please, we are begging you."

Thompson said the $10,000 reward the family had offered could be used for the legal expenses of the driver who struck the boy. Anyone who offers information leading to driver's conviction is also eligible to receive the reward money, according to police.

Another reason the Thompson family is willing to help cover legal fees for the driver who struck their son and left the scene — health and car insurance companies.

"A big part of the reason we need you to come forward, we need help with insurance," Thompson said. "If you don't come forward, Chase's future medical bills will be a lot more difficult for us to handle, but if you do come forward our automobile insurance will help a great deal."