Firefighter Who Spotted Hit-And-Run Car That Struck Pedestrian Honored

By Sam Borcia, Lake & McHenry County Scanner

A fire lieutenant was recognized for helping lead police to the driver who hit a former police and fire commissioner and fled the scene, leaving the victim seriously injured in Lake Forest.

The Lake Forest Fire Department announced on Wednesday that Lt. Erik Kositzki was recently honored at a Lake Forest police dinner.

Officials said a resident was struck by a car in November while walking on Buena Road near his home.

The man sustained significant injuries and the vehicle that hit him fled the scene.

Police and fire units, including Kositzki, responded to the call. The victim was transported to a hospital for treatment.

Kositzki departed the call but remembered the description of the offending vehicle and kept his eyes open.

Kositzki spotted a possible suspect vehicle parked in a driveway, fire officials said.

He got out to check and observed damage consistent with the type of crash that had injured the pedestrian.

He called police units to the scene and they were able to identify and arrest the owner, fire officials said.

The offender was charged with a Class 2 felony for leaving the scene of a crash with injury.

The victim, who is a former police and fire commissioner, has since recovered from his injuries.

“We are indebted to Lieutenant Kositizki’s vigilance. He is an outstanding example of the strong tradition of teamwork that exists between our police and fire departments,” the Lake Forest Fire Department said.

Lake and McHenry County Scanner is a local breaking news website covering issues that matter such as shootings, stabbings, house fires, kidnappings, car accidents, and more around Lake County and McHenry County.