Evanston Man Pleads Guilty In Fatal Hit-And-Run

WAUKEGAN, IL — An Evanston man pleaded guilty Monday to his involvement in a deadly hit-and-run crash in Waukegan in exchange for deal giving him probation, community service and 150 days in jail.

Maurice Pettigrew, 42, has been held at Lake County Jail since his New Year's Day arrest. In a negotiated plea that would see him released next week, Pettigrew pleaded guilty to a reduced charged of misdemeanor failing to give information to render aid, according to court records.

Prosecutors agreed to drop a more serious charge of failure to report an accident involving death, which could have carried a maximum prison sentence of 15 years. A charge of driving with a suspended license was also dismissed, according to Lake County Clerk's Office records.

Felicita Alcaide, 51, died after Pettigrew's silver Chrysler minivan struck her around 8:20 p.m. in the 1400 block of North Lewis Avenue as she crossed the road in the middle of a block, according to Waukegan police and the Lake County Coroner's office.

Alcaide, of Waukegan, was a mother of three, according to a GoFundMe campaign started by her family to help with funeral costs. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Pettigrew was arrested minutes later after witnesses gave his license plate to officers, according to police. In addition to the two hit-and-run related charges, he was also charged with driving without a license.

During his 30 months of probation under the plea deal accepted by Judge Patricia Fix, Pettigrew will be subject to a number of conditions, including keeping a job, having a curfew, not driving, not drinking alcohol or being anywhere it is served and be subject to urine testing, among other things. He will also have to complete 250 hours of public service, according to court records.

At earlier court hearings, prosecutors said it was "almost inhumane" for Pettigrew to have gotten out of his car and see that he had hit struck a woman but still get back into his car and flee. Pettigrew's defense attorney had pointed to toxicology reports on the victim showing her blood alcohol concentration at more than four times the legal standard for intoxication as he sought to reduce the required cash portion of his bond from $5,000, the Lake County News-Sun reported.

Earlier:

• Evanston Man Charged In Deadly Hit-And-Run Remains Jailed
• Evanston Man Accused Of Hit-And-Run In Fatal Waukegan Crash