New Lenox Pedestrian, 21, Dies In Semi-Trailer Hit And Run: Joliet PD

JOLIET— Joliet Police Department Investigations Sgt. Tizoc Landeros announced that a 21-year-0ld New Lenox man lost his life late Saturday afternoon when he was run over a semi-tractor trailer that kept going and fled Joliet. The hit-and-run fatality happened right near the back of the 10-story Will County Courthouse.

A copy of the entire press release is posted below. The fatality happened at 4:05 p.m. Saturday's victim had just been released from the Will County Jail, Joliet police noted.

About 20 minutes later, Joliet police posted on Facebook Saturday at 4:25 p.m. that officers are now investigating a pedestrian fatality, this time in downtown Joliet.

There was a lot of activity taking place on Saturday around the city's center, including Downtown Joliet Salsa Fest, plus the Illinois High School Association baseball at the nearby Joliet Slammers stadium that drew several hundred out of town baseball fans to Joliet.

The pedestrian death happened near the Will County Courthouse property and about a block away from the Joliet Police Department.

According to the Facebook post: "Joliet Police are investigating a pedestrian hit by vehicle at Washington St & Ottawa St. Please avoid the area and find alternative travel routes. More information to follow."

Early Friday evening, a 22-year-old young man from Joliet was left in critical condition, but stable, after he tried running across the busy West Jefferson Street, in the 1700 block, but was struck by a vehicle.

On May 23, the Joliet Police Department learned that the 75-year-old pedestrian injured during the previous day's crash on the city's east side had died at St. Joe's hospital.

The pedestrian victim who died was Hector Castillo of Joliet. A city of Joliet Utilities employee, 54, of Elwood, was driving a city-owned Ford F350 pickup truck southbound Herkimer Street at East Cass Street. The F350 initiated a left turn toward eastbound Cass Street and struck the pedestrian who was walking northbound across Cass Street in the crosswalk, at the east side of the intersection.