Pedestrian killed after getting hit by 2 cars in Gurnee

Gurnee police say a drunken driver was behind the wheel of one of two vehicles that hit a pedestrian who died from his injuries late Wednesday.

Benjamin A. Arizmendi, 20, of Park City, worked at a restaurant near Route 21 and Washington Street and presumably was walking home about 10:10 p.m. when he was killed, police said.

Police said Deshondra Rice, 35, of Waukegan, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol for her role in the crash. They said the second driver, a 20-year-old Beach Park man, wasn't charged.

As the Beach Park man headed east on Washington Street past Route 21 and approached the Des Plaines River, he suddenly saw someone in front of his car, according to police.

Police said the driver told them Arizmendi was wearing dark clothing and he didn't see the victim until just before hitting him. He added there was no time to stop his car.

When the Beach Park man pulled over and walked toward Arizmendi to offer assistance, authorities said, the victim was struck a second time by Rice's car while she headed east on Washington and he was lying on the pavement.

Rice believed she saw a doll on the street before driving into Arizmendi, police said. Authorities said Rice stopped down the road and returned to discover it was a man - not a doll - on Washington Street.

Gurnee paramedics took Arizmendi to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where he was pronounced dead at 10:57 p.m.

Anyone with information about the fatal collision is asked to contact Gurnee police at (847) 599-7000.