Cousin of Man Killed in Hit-and-Run Calls Out 'Monster' Who Did It

One month has passed and yet still no answers for the family of a 35-year-old New Lenox man killed in a hit and run.

Lockport police have had few leads but Mia van Eijmeren, cousin of victim Robert Haag, still hopes that the driver’s conscience will get the best of him, and he will come forward.

“When I think about the man who hit him living his life freely, going to sleep in his own bed every night and waking up to the comfort of being alive, I feel sick and sad and mad,” she said. “I don’t know how anyone in their right mind could live with this on their conscience.”

Haag lost control of his motorcycle as he tried to avoid a driver that had cut him off on State Street near 8th Street in Lockport. The father of two—Caelen, age 7, and Alan, age 3—struck a light-colored, four-door sedan that was driven by a middle-aged man with dark hair. The driver slowed, but ultimately drove away. Haag was not wearing a helmet, and died from his injuries. His organs were donated to a 12-year-old girl who received his liver, a 46-year-old man who received his heart and kidney, and a 58-year-old man who received his kidney and pancreas, van Eijmeren said in a GoFundMe started for his children

“While I was in Illinois dealing with this tragedy I noticed that not one motorcyclist I saw was wearing a helmet,” she said. “This has got to change—it can be the difference between life or death.”

A teenager who witnessed the accident spoke before the Lockport City Council to urge increased safety measures at the intersection. The girl later learned that the victim had died.

“”That was a real eye-opener to [my friend] and I and now whenever I’m about to cross the street I remember to stay behind a sidewalk line or even two because anything could happen at any moment,” she told the council.

Chief Terry Lemming said the city will seek to install ”safety beacons” on the stop signs to signal drivers to slow for pedestrians.

“We’re hoping to get that done in the near future, but it’s subject to IDOT rules,” Lemming said.

Van Eijmeren applauded the teen for her plea to the city council.

“I am proud of her strength and commend her for taking a stand to make a change in the face of this tragedy,” she said. “I cannot imagine how hard it has been for this young girl to process what she witnessed. After hearing her account of the accident I find myself enraged on so many levels and view the man who did this as nothing short of a monster. ... now this poor child has to live with it replaying in her head.”

She fears cautionary lights wouldn’t have made a difference, though.

“Accidents happen, but when you consciously leave the scene of an accident that is a personal choice, no flashing lights would have stopped that from happening,” she said.

“If there is any justice in this world this man will be caught, he will finally turn himself in or that one person who knows who did this will turn him in, someone out there knows something.”

Meanwhile, Haag’s family is trying to find peace.

“Our focus is on healing as a family, trying to support one another through this tragedy and focusing on doing the best to help his children get through this,” van Eijmeren said. “We have a long road ahead of us and right now it is day by day.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Fry at the Lockport police department, (815) 838-2131.