Skokie Woman Charged In Fatal Hit-And-Run

SKOKIE, IL — A Skokie woman has been accused in a fatal hit-and-run Monday evening. Around 6:35 p.m., Skokie police and fire personnel found a woman on the ground who had just been hit by a vehicle that had just fled the scene, police said. The pedestrian later died, and the alleged driver has been charged with a felony.

Maggie French, a 58-year-old Skokie woman, had been critically injured but was still awake and responsive when authorities found her near the intersection of Kilpatrick Avenue and Keeney Street, according to Skokie police and the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.

French, who lived near the scene of the crash, was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston and was initially listed in critical condition. She was pronounced dead later that night. Her death was ruled an accident caused by multiple injuries suffered from the vehicle.

Luz Maria Aguilar-Soto, 28, of the 8200 block of Kilpatrick Avenue, was later arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident involving personal injury or death, according to police.

Although Aguilar-Soto fled the scene, she was was located a little while later just blocks away in the vicinity of Kilpatrick and Cleveland avenues and arrest at 8:15 p.m. on March 6.

Police said they were able to identify her car, a 2004 Mitsubishi Endeavor, as the one that fatally struck French based on evidence and information developed from the scene.

A Cook County judge set her bail at $50,000 Wednesday. The Cook County Sheriff's office said 10 percent had been posted for her the day before and she was released on bond.

» More: Skokie Woman Fatally Struck By Vehicle