Cyclist Fatally Struck By Car In Humboldt Park Wednesday Night

By Stephen Gossett in News on Jan 12, 2017 3:32PM

A cyclist was fatally struck by a vehicle on Wednesday night in Humboldt Park, according to Chicago police.

The cyclist was riding westbound in the 3000 block of Division Street when he was struck at 10:38 p.m. by a Chevy that was driving northbound on Sacramento Avenue, Officer Nicole Trainor, a police spokesperson, told Chicagoist.

The cyclist was taken to Stroger Hospital where he was pronounced dead. There were no additional injuries reported; and the driver, 38, was not issued a citation as of Thursday morning, Trainor said.

It's unclear whether or not freezing rain conditions, which hit Chicago Wednesday night and Thursday morning, were a factor. Chicago Police’s Major Accidents division is investigating.

Sean Williams, a bike courier who lives next to the intersection where the crash occurred, told John Greenfield of Streetsblog that the victim may have been middle-aged and was possibly wearing an orange safety vest and riding a hybrid bicycle.

The crash is the first cycling fatality of 2017. Last year there were six bike deaths in Chicago. The city is expected to release its its plan to eliminate traffic-related fatalities either this month or next.

Update, 9:00 a.m.:

The victim has been identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office as Jezniah Smith, 34.