A 25-year-old man from Naperville is dead following a high-speed hit-and-run in the Avondale neighborhood.
The fatal collision occurred early Friday morning on Chicago’s Northwest Side.
Police responded to the 3500-block of North Elston Avenue just before 6 a.m.
Investigators say the driver of a Toyota RAV4 was traveling northbound on Elston Avenue.
The driver reportedly disregarded a traffic signal at the intersection of Kedzie Avenue.
The RAV4 slammed into a Toyota Prius that was traveling southbound.
A 25-year-old passenger in the Prius suffered severe injuries in the impact.
Emergency crews rushed him to Illinois Masonic Hospital.
Doctors pronounced him dead shortly after his arrival.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Ali Abdullah of Naperville.
The driver of the Prius, a 37-year-old man, also sustained major injuries.
He remains at Illinois Masonic Hospital in critical condition.
After the violent crash, the driver of the RAV4 did not stop to help.
The suspect abandoned the SUV and fled the scene on foot.
Chicago Police have not yet released a description of the fleeing driver.
The Major Accidents Unit is currently leading the investigation into the crash.
Recent History
This stretch of Elston Avenue is known to locals for its complex intersections and fast-moving traffic.
Residents in Avondale have frequently raised concerns about speeding drivers near the Elston and Kedzie junction.
The Northwest Side has seen a troubling rise in hit-and-run incidents over the last year.
Just months ago, another serious collision occurred nearby, sparking calls for improved traffic safety measures.
The Avondale neighborhood remains on high alert as police search for the person responsible for this latest tragedy.
No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains active.
