{"id":17963,"date":"2025-04-03T12:26:59","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T17:26:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/?p=17963"},"modified":"2025-04-03T12:26:59","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T17:26:59","slug":"witness-recalls-chaotic-aftermath-of-brutal-hit-and-run-incident","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/chicago\/2025\/04\/03\/witness-recalls-chaotic-aftermath-of-brutal-hit-and-run-incident\/","title":{"rendered":"Witness Recalls Chaotic Aftermath Of Brutal Hit-And-Run Incident"},"content":{"rendered":"

Witness describes ‘intense’ aftermath of Northwest Side hit-and-run<\/h1>\n

Introduction to the Incident<\/h2>\n

Within minutes, Scotty McKinney went from scrolling through his phone in bed to frantically flagging down cars \u2014 even getting in front of one \u2014 before dragging a critically injured man from the middle of the road to safety after an SUV ran into him early Wednesday on the Northwest Side. \u201cI was like, \u2018Oh, f – – – it, I\u2019ll drag him myself,\u2019\u201d McKinney, 26, told the Chicago Sun-Times. \u201cI was definitely shocked, it was intense.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Events Leading Up to the Hit-and-Run<\/h2>\n

McKinney, 26, was \u201cgearing down for the day,\u201d relaxing in bed and scrolling through his phone inside his apartment in the 3600 block of West Diversey Avenue around 2:40 a.m. when he and his roommate heard what sounded like a \u201ctiny car crash\u201d outside. When McKinney\u2019s roommate looked outside to see what the sound was, she saw the man lying in the street in a puddle of blood and called 911 as McKinney rushed outside. \u201cWe had thought a car hit another car, so [the driver] must\u2019ve hit this guy really f – – – – – – hard,\u201d McKinney said. \u201cI was there with him trying to untangle him from his backpack. He was completely out but he was breathing so heavily.\u201d<\/p>\n

Details of the Hit-and-Run<\/h2>\n

According to a traffic report obtained by the Sun-Times, the victim, a 44-year-old man, was crossing the street when a westbound SUV, which had a green light, hit him and left the scene. His body was left on the south side of Diversey Avenue and his belongings, along with one shoe, were found near him, according to the report. McKinney began waving down cars to try and get someone\u2019s attention to help him move the man from the middle of the street. He even darted in front of one driver, who just drove around McKinney and kept going.<\/p>\n

The Aftermath and Response<\/h2>\n

That\u2019s when McKinney decided to haul the man to the side of the road to avoid the risk of having him get hit again. \u201cI don\u2019t know how to save a guy\u2019s life,\u201d McKinney added. \u201cI was really hoping he wasn\u2019t gonna die right there.\u201d An ambulance arrived about seven minutes, and the Belmont Cragin man was taken in critical condition to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center with a brain bleed and fractures to his right knee, both fibulas and both tibulas, according to police.<\/p>\n

Investigation and Call for Information<\/h2>\n

Surveillance footage captured the SUV traveling on Central Park Avenue from North Avenue minutes after the crash and police released images of the vehicle, which is a dark-gray four-door SUV with yellow Illinois temporary plates. McKinney stressed that it was \u201cabsolutely important to him\u201d for police to find the driver. \u201cYou actively are doing harm and decided right then and there [not to make things right,]\u201d McKinney said. \u201cThey need to be held responsible.\u201d Anyone with information is encouraged to call 312-745-4521 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com and use reference #JJ203017.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The hit-and-run incident on the Northwest Side highlights the importance of immediate action and community involvement in ensuring justice and safety. Scotty McKinney\u2019s bravery in the face of an emergency situation serves as a testament to the human spirit of helping others in need. It is crucial that the perpetrator is found and held accountable for their actions, and the community’s assistance in this matter is vital.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n