Pedestrian Identified As 56-Year-Old Chicago Man In Fatal Bridgeview Hit-And-Run : Police

BRIDGEVIEW, IL—The pedestrian struck down early Sunday morning in a hit-and-run crash in Bridgeview has been identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner as Juan Villagomez, 56, of Chicago.

Charges are pending for a Cicero woman who struck a pedestrian crossing Harlem Avenue early Sunday morning and left the scene, Bridgeview police said.

Bridgeview Police Chief Rick Mancha told Patch that the driver was released with multiple traffic violations. The case is currently under felony review by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, which has requested the Suburban Major Accident Reconstruction Team report.

The crash unfolded around 2 a.m. Video of the accident was obtained from Krash Bar at 71st Street and Harlem Avenue. It showed two people leaving the bar attempting to cross Harlem from west to east. A red Impala appeared, traveling in the southbound median lane of Harlem, when it struck the pedestrian, according to a Bridgeview police report.

The Impala driver continued southbound without stopping, police said. She was pulled over at 86th Street and Harlem. She told officers she thought she hit a dog and continued driving because she was scared, police said.

The pedestrian, a man, was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.

The Suburban Major Accident Reconstruction Team was activated. Harlem Ave was closed to traffic in either direction but reopened around 6 a.m. Sunday.

The crash is under review by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. The accused driver's name is not being released because she hasn’t been charged yet.