Chicago Police Issue Photo of White Volvo 660 Semi-Truck Involved in Hit-and-Run of Bicyclist

White Volvo 660 Semi-Truck Involved in 10/7/2014 Hit-and-Run of a Chicago Bicyclist

The Chicago Police Department have issued a new photograph as a part of the hunt for the driver of a white Volvo 660 Semi-Truck that was involved in a hit-and-run of a bicyclist. A crucial identifying characteristic of this Semi-Truck is the severe damage to the roof of the truck on the passenger side.

Photograph highlighting damage to roof of Semi-Truck

The driver of the truck has been described as a white man, approximately 30 years old, with a "slender-to-medium" build. The driver has blond hair and a short, "clean-cut" beard according to the Chicago Tribune.

The Chicago bicyclist is a 47-year-old who was riding in the 3600 block of South Ashland Avenue around 4:25 p.m. in the afternoon on October 7th when the collision occurred. The truck was traveling southbound on Ashland when the driver of the truck hit the bicyclist. The driver of the truck then fled the scene of the crash. The bicyclist remains in critical condition as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

In addition to potential traffic citations, the driver of the truck potentially faces felony charges for leaving the scene of an accident and misdemeanor charges for failing to render aid as well as failing to reduce speed to avoid a collision.

Anyone with information was asked to contact the Chicago Police Department's Major Accident Investigation Unit at (312) 745-4521. Below is an additional photograph of the truck taken from surveillance footage approximately four minutes prior to the subject crash. Note that the Semi-Truck's roof is not damaged on the driver's side, but has substantial damage on the passenger side.

Surveillance Footage of truck involved in hit-and-run collision that critically injured a Chicago bicyclist.

Details Emerge in Barbie Eno Case

Stock Image of Kenworth W900 Cement Truck

The Chicago Sun-Times has reported additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of 28-year old Barbie Eno of the Portage Park neighborhood. According to the report, based on the position of the Kenworth W900 truck and Barbie Eno's bicycle after the collision, both vehicles were traveling northbound on Cicero Avenue towards Belmont Avenue. Other reports indicated that the Kenworth W900 truck was a "concrete truck," meaning that the truck was pulling a concrete mixer as opposed to a trailer.

Northbound Cicero Avenue at Belmont Avenue

The Sun-Times article further indicates that the driver of the truck did not see the bicyclist prior to impact and only stopped when he noticed people waiving at him. A driver of a tractor truck like the Kenworth W900 is required to adhere to all of the applicable rules of the road, such as the Chicago Municipal Code and the Illinois Vehicle Code, and also to Federal requirements. These requirements provide that 1) the driver of a cement truck like this should "keep a proper lookout" for bicycles but 2) to not turn right until it is safe to do so. It is axiomatic that if a vehicle is "clear" to turn, that a bicycle crash cannot occur.

Here are some of the key laws that apply to a bicycle crash of this nature:

• 49 C.F.R. Section 383.111 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires a professional driver to recognize and avoid potential hazards at all times around a turning tractor truck. 
•  Section 11-1003.1 of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code states that every driver of a vehicle must 1) always exercise care to avoid colliding with pedestrians and bicyclists, and 2) sound their horn to provide warning of an impending impact.
• Section 9-16-020 of the Municipal Code of Chicago specifically provides that a motor vehicle should not turn right across the path of a bicyclist traveling in the same direction until it is "clear" and safe to make the turn. This is known as a "right hook."

DNAInfo Chicago provided a very thoughtful article on Barbie Eno that also contains service information.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with Barbie Eno's family and friends. God bless all of you at this difficult time.