Homeless Man was Walking Down Middle of Road in Dark & Wearing Black Clothes When He Was Hit by Pickup: Cops

JOLIET, IL — The homeless man struck by a pickup truck and killed on Route 53 Christmas morning was walking down the middle of the road in the dark, police said.

Paul Loyd, 52, was hit just north of Laraway Road shortly before 5:30 a.m. He was taken to Presence St. Joseph Medical Center where he was pronounced dead in the emergency room soon after arriving.

Officers spoke with both the 26-year-old man who was driving the pickup that hit Loyd and the driver’s 55-year-old father, who was driving a vehicle following behind his son. The father and son were on their way to go hunting, police said.

Misty rain was falling at the time of the accident, police said. Loyd was reportedly wearing black clothing and the driver did not see him.

No charges were filed in connection with the fatal accident.

Loyd was from Wyoming, according to the coroner’s office. He was homeless and had been in the area since at least Friday, when he was charged with disorderly conduct, police said.

Joliet resident Justin Cates said he came across the accident soon after Loyd was struck. He said he checked Loyd’s pulse and performed chest compressions.

“I just did what I could is all,” Cates said, “unfortunately it wasn't really enough."

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