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$8,000 reward offered in fatal Lake County hit-and-run

Thanks to money raised through an online fundraiser, authorities are offering an $8,000 reward to find the person responsible for a hit-and-run crash that killed a Lake County man last month.

James A. Spicak, 68, of unincorporated Prairie View near Buffalo Grove, was found unresponsive in a ditch near his mailbox about 11 p.m. Oct. 12, police said.

Authorities say a vehicle was driving west on West Pope Boulevard when it struck Spicak, who later was pronounced dead at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.

Last month, Lake County Crime Stoppers and Spicak's family each pledged $1,000 toward a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the offender, Lake County Sheriff's Det. Christopher Covelli said. Spicak's family also created a GoFundMe page, which has since raised more than $6,500.

"The hearts of his family and friends have been shattered as this beloved man has been taken away from us so tragically," the GoFundMe page reads. "An active investigation is underway to find the individual responsible for our loss. We need information, we need leads. We need someone to come forward to share anything they know. Our hearts need to find peace."

Any unused funds will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the page says.

Authorities believe the vehicle was leaving the Horatio Gardens subdivision and traveling west toward Weiland Road when the crash occurred near North Eugene Avenue, Covelli said.

The vehicle likely sustained damage to the bumper, grille or hood areas, officials said.

An investigation by the sheriff's Technical Crash Investigations Unit and Criminal Investigations Division is ongoing. Anyone with information should contact the sheriff's office at (847) 549-5200 or Crime Stoppers at (847) 662-2222.

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