Bicyclist critical after Humboldt Park hit-and-run

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Police are hoping new surveillance video will help identify the driver who critically injured a man riding his bicycle in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood Friday afternoon.

A security camera captured 26-year-old avid cyclist Ricardo "Richie" Capistran riding the motorized bicycle he built as he collided with the driver of an SUV in the 1600-block of North Talman Avenue around 1 p.m. Friday.

The video shows that the driver of the vehicle did not stop as Eduardo Izquierdo and others rushed to help the victim.

"The truck was supposed to stop at least," Ezquierdo said.

Capistran was critically injured and has a fractured skull and other broken bones, a collapsed lung, and a possible brain injury. He remains in the intensive care unit on a respirator.

Relatives say Capistran was returning home from exchanging a pair of shoes for his son, who was flying to Mexico to spend the Easter holiday with his grandparents who live there.

As Capistran travelled west on North Avenue and the driver of that SUV tried to make a hard left turn onto Talman.

Authorities are still looking for the driver of the vehicle they say cut Capistran off.

Police issued an alert this weekend describing the SUV as a four-door GMC or Chevrolet with a shattered back passenger side window and damage to the rear passenger door.

Friends say besides his son, Capistran has a girlfriend and was very passionate about cycling, even building motorized bikes as a hobby.

Meanwhile, as his family prays for his recovery, they're hoping the person responsible for the tragedy will do the right thing and turn themselves in.

"We don't know who it was and why would you leave somebody pretty much lifeless," said Maria Martinez, the victim's sister.

Both Capistran's family and police are asking anyone with information to call the Major Accident Investigations unit at 312-745-4521.