CHICAGO, IL – A 6-month-old child succumbed to her injuries in a hit-and-run accident in Chicago on Friday. The baby, identified as Josette Williams by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, was en route to the hospital with her parents when their vehicle was struck at an intersection on South Cottage Grove.
According to the Chicago Police Department, at around 9:45 p.m., a Chevy SUV disregarded a red light and collided into the Ford SUV carrying the family. Surveillance footage revealed that as the Ford SUV proceeded under a green light, it was side-swiped by the speeding black Chevy SUV, causing the Ford SUV to veer and almost strike a roadside pillar.
The tragedy compounded when the occupants of the Chevy SUV, a man and a woman, fled the scene before the police could arrive. Community activist Andrew Holmes noted the disturbing nature of such behavior, questioning if there were ulterior motives involved, such as a stolen vehicle.
The parents from the Ford SUV were rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, while baby Josette was transported to Comer Children’s Hospital, where she later died. An autopsy scheduled for Saturday will determine if her death resulted directly from the crash.
Additionally, other vehicles were damaged in the incident although no further injuries were reported.
As yet, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident. The investigation continues, and anyone with information about the hit-and-run is encouraged to contact the Chicago Police Department.