UPDATE: Reckless homicide charges filed against suspected driver
"He was being questioned by the police. They were looking at the vehicle, taking pictures, looking under the tire and things like that," said neighbor Arlene Bajjali.
Neighbors of the man police are calling a person of interest say detectives converged on the Little Village neighborhood Thursday afternoon. At first, they closely examined the parked van that apparently belonged to the man. It fit the description of the one that struck and killed Cook County Corrections Officer Nikkii Bostic-Jones. One of the man's friends said he was with him working on his car Wednesday night.
"We were working and had a few drinks," said friend Enrique Lozano. "Then he left the house."
Bostic-Jones, 38, was crossing the street outside the jail complex on her way to work the overnight shift when she was struck and killed. The van did not stop. She leaves behind a 6-year-old daughter and husband now struggling to cope.
"I just wish it was a dream. I wish I had my wife back," said husband James Ray Jones.
Friends and family members of Bostick Jones were at the site of the tragedy early Friday for a memorial.
For many of them, this was an opportunity to try to heal.
White roses were her favorite flower. Those roses and along with balloons flooded the street where Bostic Jones died.
Friday morning at a memorial, her husband of seven years talked of the difficulty of attending the vigil.
"I wanted to come, but I had thoughts of doubt because I was sad," said her husband, James Ray Jones. "But when I got here, there was nothing but love. People told me how great my wife was…To see all this, it was great."
Bostic Jones's co-workers praised her for being kind, thoughtful and generous. They then released dozens of balloons .
"The most cherished memories we'll have is her beautifully smile, her bubbly personality and her love of her family," said Lt. Leon Marmol.
Jones is left now explaining his wife's death to their 6-year-old daughter , Tia
"She asked me, 'Is mommy dead?' I said yes, but she's an angle now, so she's watching over us," he said.
Many of the correctional officers again said there should be a crosswalk or stop sign here. Hundreds of officers cross the street to go to work every day.
