Pedestrian, 21, Dies On South Chicago Street: Fire Chief

JOLIET, IL — Joliet Fire Chief Greg Blaskey announced that a 21-year-old man was killed late Monday night after being hit by a vehicle along South Chicago Street and Emerald Drive. Firefighter/paramedics from Station 3 responded to the incident at 10:53 p.m.

"Upon arrival, they found a 21-year-old male who had been struck by a vehicle," Blaskey said. "The victim suffered severe injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the vehicle was not injured."

Will County Coroner Laurie Summers identified the victim as Derrick E. Smith Jr. of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Smith was walking across the southbound lanes of Route 53 at the time he was hit by a vehicle, the coroner said.

For unknown reasons, a pedestrian was walking across the southbound lanes of Route 53 near the Pheasant Run Apartments when he was struck by a 2002 Toyota RAV4 driven by a 25-year-old man from nearby Elwood, Illinois State Police said.

Smith was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The Route 53 southbound lanes were closed between Interstate 80 and Laraway Road for the investigation. All lanes were reopened at 3:15 a.m. on Tuesday, police said.