Local News

51-Year-Old Cyclist Killed In Hit-And-Run Crash

Police Searching For Driver Of SUV In Illinois, Wisconsin

WINTHROP HARBOR, Ill. (CBS) ― A far north suburban man was fatally struck by a sport-utility vehicle while riding his bicycle in Winthrop Harbor, near the Wisconsin border.

CBS 2's Mai Martinez reports the investigation into is death is spanning two states.

William "Bill" Vidakovic, 51, loved riding his bicycle around Winthrop Harbor. Thursday night around 8:40, that favorite hobby turned tragic when an SUV hit him on Sheridan Road, just south of 6th Street.

He was pronounced dead a short time later at an area hospital.

Police say witnesses described a dark, possibly black, SUV as the vehicle which struck Vidakovic. Investigators say the vehicle likely suffered damage to the right front corner after hitting him.

"There was evidence of that at the scene, pieces of the headlight and that type of material at the scene," said Det. Michael Falasco of the Winthrop Harbor Police Dept.

In addition to witness accounts of the accident, police are studying surveillance video from businesses in the area to see if they can identify the vehicle involved in the accident.

In the meantime, those who knew the victim hope the driver will come forward.

"They should come forward because he was an innocent man. He was a wonderful man," said friend Said Qasmi.

Vidakovic's family is also pleading with the driver to come forward. His brother said the family might be able to forgive the driver if it was an accident, but they can't understand why he or she left the scene.

"If they stayed there and maybe helped him, he might be still living," Nick Vidakovic said.

Because the accident happened so close to the state line, investigators are also reaching out to police departments and body shops in Wisconsin to see if they can help solve this crime.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

---