A driver struck two young girls and fled the scene in West Englewood on Friday morning.
The hit-and-run occurred around 7:42 a.m. in the 1700-block of West 69th Street.
Chicago police say a 6-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl were walking in a crosswalk.
A white SUV hit both children while they were crossing the street.
The driver of the SUV did not stop to help the victims.
Instead, the vehicle sped away immediately after the impact.
Paramedics rushed both girls to Comer Children’s Hospital.
The 6-year-old girl is currently in critical condition.
The 15-year-old girl is listed in serious condition.
No other injuries were reported at the scene of the crash.
The Chicago Police Major Accidents Investigations Unit is now leading the case.
Officers are looking for any surveillance footage that may have captured the white SUV.
Recent History
This incident adds to a troubling trend of pedestrian accidents in the West Englewood area.
The intersection of 69th Street has seen a rise in reckless driving over the past year.
In recent months, South Side residents have voiced concerns about speeding near schools and parks.
Similar hit-and-run incidents have plagued the nearby Englewood and Gresham neighborhoods.
Last summer, a hit-and-run just blocks away sparked community calls for better traffic calming measures.
Local activists often point to the lack of “speed humps” or protected crossings in high-traffic zones.
This latest crash highlights the ongoing danger facing Chicago’s youngest pedestrians.
Police are asking anyone with information about the white SUV to come forward.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to the Chicago Police Department website.
Investigators are specifically looking for vehicles with front-end damage.
