Woman fatally struck by off-duty CPD officer after SUV went on sidewalk near House of Blues: sources
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Two sources have told ABC7 that the driver of an SUV that fatally struck a woman in River North Thursday morning was an off-duty Chicago police officer.
The woman who died was just steps away from the House of Blues when she was hit, Chicago police said.
Police said a 40-year-old woman driving an SUV in the 300-block of North State Street at about 12:30 a.m. lost control of her vehicle and jumped the curb. They said the crash was caused by a momentary cell phone distraction.
The SUV struck a 56-year-old woman who was on the sidewalk, police said.
The victim was pinned against the metal fence and police said she was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she died. Her identity has not yet been released.
Police said the victim was in Chicago from Texas on a business trip for an educational company. In a statement, a spokesperson did not identify the woman but said in part, "The entire Amplify community is deeply saddened and grieving this sudden loss."
Police said the driver was cited for failure to reduce speed, failure to keep in lane, negligent driving and driving while using cellular phone.
