Westmont restaurant owner dies after being struck by car in Oswego

OSWEGO, Ill. (WLS) -- The owner of a restaurant in Westmont has died after being hit by a car while he was crossing a road.

Oswego police said 49-year-old Matthew Verde was hit Thursday night, while walking on an access road near the Meijer store at 2700 Route 34.

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Flowers and chalk messages adorning the sidewalk in front of Neat Kitchen and Bar on Monday afternoon.

The loss of Verde is fresh for family, friends, his restaurant and anyone who spent even just a few moments in his presence.

Jenn Sereque said she was introduced to Verde when she was trying to raise money for a veteran suffering from PTSD.

Verde was a United States Marine. She said Verde didn't hesitate to help and hosted an ice cream social in the parking lot at his Westmont Restaurant Neat Kitchen and Bar.

"Because of him there's a veteran who has a service dog," she said. "Now that veteran can go about his day and feel safe because of something that Matt did."

There are dozens of similar stories of Verde lending a helping hand.

It's a big part of why this loss is felt by so many.

Investigators said the owner of Neat Kitchen & Bar was hit by a Toyota driven by a 17-year-old girl. No charges or citations have been filed.

Verde was transported to a hospital and the restaurant posted on Sunday afternoon that the owner had died.

"He was such an incredible human being, and he is so needed here, and the world's just gonna be a darker place without him, no matter how hard we try," Sereque added.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family. On Monday afternoon, $67,000 had been raised.

Information regarding funeral services will be shared later this week, the family said.