Chicago police seek Bentley driver that left woman critical in Bucktown hit-and-run
CHICAGO (CBS) — Chicago Police are searching for the person driving a luxury car who hit and left a pedestrian critically hurt in Bucktown Saturday night.
The crash happened just before 11 p.m. at the crosswalk in the 2100 block of West Armitage Avenue. Neighbors rushed in to help the woman, who was leaving a bar in the area when she was struck.
Police responded to the scene and found the 40-year-old woman in the crosswalk. She was struck by a dark-colored sedan that left the scene.
"We were extremely concerned," said Ruchira Ray. "There was probably like 20 people around who were very upset and couldn't believe what they had seen."
When Ray stepped outside to walk her dog, she stumbled upon a crowd of people trying to help the woman.
"We saw her lying in the street," Ray said. "I don't think anyone is face down in Armitage if they want to be."
The victim suffered trauma to the body and was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition.
Chicago Police issued a community alert saying they are searching for the driver of a 2009-2014 blue metallic Bentley four-door sedan with front end damage and missing the front lower grill. The license plate is DL6118C.
Police are asking residents in the northern suburbs to be on alert for the car. CPD released a stock photo of the car.
They say the person behind the wheel ran over the woman and never stopped Saturday night. The vehicle was last seen heading westbound on West Armitage Avenue from North Hoyne Avenue.
"It's very upsetting to hear someone at 10:50 p.m. getting hit by a car," said Ray. "Who's speeding that much?"
Witnesses say the driver of the Bentley went around a car that had stopped to allow the woman to cross in the crosswalk.
"There's no way you can hit someone and not know," said Brittany Pisano. "There's no way."
Pisano works at the neighborhood bar the woman had just left. She said the intersection is busy at all hours, and a luxury vehicle leaving a hit-and-run stands out.
"A blue metallic Bentley is insanely distinctive," she said. "That would've caught eyes anyways, just the car itself."
"We were able to see the parts of the car that were left behind because they were in the street," said Ray. "I'd imagine it's fairly distinctive."
As police search for the driver, neighbors believe it should be weighing on whoever left the scene.
"I hope so," Ray said. "I can't imagine not stopping or making sure someone called an ambulance."
Anyone with information about the incident or vehicle is asked to call the Major Accident Investigation Unit at 312-745-4521.
