An 86-year-old man died after being struck by a vehicle Monday in the northwest suburb of Morton Grove.
Richard A. Mikulec was walking near the intersection of Shermer Road and Harlem Avenue when he was hit at about 7:45 p.m. The driver immediately took off, police said.
The victim was rushed to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, where he later died of his injuries, according to police.
Neighbors told NBC Chicago Mikulec lived alone in a home on Foster Drive, about a half mile from the scene of the accident. They said his wife passed away years ago and both were members of the St. Isaac Jogues Church in Niles.
The 86-year-old was a retired chemist who was active and in good shape, one neighbor said.
"In the Summer time he's out cutting his grass," Ismet Jakupi said. "[Just] yesterday I saw him shoveling his snow."
At least one man who lives in the area of the crash said the incident is tragic but not surprising.
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"There's no stop signs back by Shermer and Harlem, so we hear of accidents all the time around here," resident Sal Syed said.
Police said the victim leaves behind a son who lives in California.
No description of the vehicle or driver involved in the crash was released by authorities, but they said it's suspected to have front-end damage.
Anyone with information about the incident should call police at 847-470-5200.
