Evanston Man Charged After Oakton Hit-And-Run Seriously Injures Pedestrian

EVANSTON, IL — Evanston police have charged a 71-year-old man from Texas following an investigation into a hit-and-run crash that seriously injured a pedestrian at Oakton Street and Hartery Avenue.

Police and fire personnel responded at about 4:35 p.m. Oct. 1 to a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle, according to the Evanston Police Department.

Officers found a woman unresponsive with serious head injuries. She was taken to a Chicago-area hospital for emergency medical treatment and is now in stable condition, according to police.

Investigators found the woman was walking in a marked crosswalk when she was struck by a white Chevrolet Traverse traveling west on Oakton Street. The driver continued west without stopping, according to police.

A witness immediately called 911, provided aid to the woman and gave officers video of the crash. Evanston emergency communications personnel, with assistance from the Skokie Police Department, tracked the vehicle into Morton Grove, according to the police department.

An off-duty Evanston police officer later located the vehicle and notified the Morton Grove Police Department. Morton Grove officers then located and detained the driver, who was identified as Dale Peterson, 71, of Allen, Texas.

The Evanston Police Department said the rapid sharing of information, cooperation among law enforcement agencies and continued follow-up were instrumental in identifying and apprehending the driver.

The Major Crash Assistance Team also responded to assist with the investigation. Investigators processed and towed the vehicle and obtained search warrants for additional evidence related to the crash, according to police.

Following the investigation, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved one felony count of leaving the scene of a crash involving injury or death. Peterson was also cited for a pedestrian right-of-way at crosswalks violation and a general speed restrictions violation.