Joliet Man, 40, Hit By Car Dies After Getting Ride Home, Declining Medical Treatment: Police

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet Police Department announced that it is investigating a pedestrian fatality involving a 40-year-old man who died several hours after being struck by a car while trying to cross the busy and dangerous stretch of Cass Street on the community's east side.

According to police spokesman Dwayne English, at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, officers responded to an apartment in the 600 block of Jerome Avenue for a welfare check after an unresponsive tenant was found by his roommate.

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The officers found the 40-year-old man in the apartment with a significant injury to his head. English said the man was pronounced dead at the apartment by the Will County Coroner's Office. Identification of the victim and manner of death will be determined by the Will County Coroner's Office.

During the investigation, English said detectives determined that the victim had left his apartment shortly after 6:45 a.m. that morning and walked toward Cass Street.

English said that the man was then struck by a vehicle on Cass Street. However, police said he declined medical assistance, and the driver of the vehicle took him back to the apartment on Jerome Avenue.

"Further investigation indicates that the man then left
the apartment again and walked to El Ranchito supermarket before returning to the Jerome Avenue address," English said.

Detectives identified and located the vehicle believed to have been involved, as well as the woman who was driving. The driver has been cooperative with detectives, and the vehicle was towed as part of this investigation, police said. No arrests have been made, according to English.

"This remains an active investigation that is still in its preliminary stages," English indicated. "Anyone with video footage or information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Joliet Police Department Investigations Division at 815-724-3020. Those wishing to remain anonymous may contact Will County Crime Stoppers at 800-323-6734 or submit a tip online at crimestoppersofwillcounty.org."