Hit-And-Run Injuring Man Walking Dog Caused By Illegal Immigrant With Valid License: Sheriff

MORRIS, IL — The Grundy County Sheriff's Office announced on Wednesday that an illegal immigrant with a valid Illinois driver's license was responsible for last month's hit-and-run collision that severely injured a 71-year-old Morris resident out walking his dog.

According to Grundy County Chief Deputy Sheriff Paul Clampitt, sheriff's deputies responded to the hit-and-run scene at 3:56 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Nettle Creek subdivision, which is near the Nettle Creek golf course. The crash happened at West Country Club Lane and Nettle Creek Drive.

The 71-year-old pedestrian was airlifted to the Loyola Medical Center at Maywood because he had suffered a brain bleed, a broken foot and facial fractures. The victim remained at Loyola until being discharged and returned home on Feb. 20, Clampitt said.

On Feb. 7, responding sheriff's deputies, Morris police and area residents managed to identify the fleeing vehicle based off car parts, security cameras and license plate reader cameras, the sheriff's agency revealed.

After details of the crime were entered into a police database, the Stickney Police Department near Chicago located the hit-and-run vehicle and helped Grundy County detectives "in identifying the driver, who is not a legal citizen," Grundy County announced on Facebook. "With the help of Stickney Police Department and Grundy County Sheriff's Office investigations, the driver, Gabriel Rivero, 41, of Stickney, was interviewed and admitted to striking the pedestrian with his vehicle and being in the area as a delivery driver for a logistics company named SpeedX."

According to the Grundy County Sheriff's Office, Rivero had a valid Illinois driver's license at the time of the crash "despite not being a legal resident."

Charges for Rivero are now pending at the Grundy County State's Attorney's Office for leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash involving personal injury, Clampitt told Joliet Patch.

Since the charges are pending, Grundy County has not taken Rivero into custody yet, Clampitt explained.