Des Plaines police seek semi driver in fatal hit-and-run
Witnesses of a hit-and-run that killed a 17-year-old boy in Des Plaines Friday night told police that the vehicle involved was a dull red or maroon semi without an attached trailer, Des Plaines police said Sunday.
Police found Choice Taylor, a Maine West High School senior, lying in the roadway at 906 E. Algonquin Road about 6:15 p.m. Friday near a stop sign at Third Avenue, according to a statement.
Witnesses who were waiting behind the truck in traffic told police Taylor approached the back of the truck, which was stopped, somehow ended up under the vehicle and was run over when it pulled forward, said Des Plaines Police Chief James Prandini.
According to witness accounts, the truck driver continued about half a block, got out of his vehicle to check for damage and then drove off, Prandini said.
Prandini said there's a good chance the driver didn't realize he had struck a person.
Police said there was no debris left at the scene by the vehicle.
Police and Taylor's family are hoping that the driver of the vehicle will turn himself in.
“The family is looking for closure in this incident; they just want the driver to come forward and say sorry,” Prandini said. “They are a very forgiving family and just want closure.”
Anyone with information is asked to call investigators at (847) 391-5400 or text an anonymous tip to CRIMES, or 274637, by starting the message with “ICARE.”
Services for Taylor have been set for later this week. A wake is scheduled from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday at Good News Christian Center, 815 Lee St. in Des Plaines. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church, and burial will be at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Hillside.
• Daily Herald staff writer Madhu Krishnamurthy contributed to this report.