Amira Nairat, Richards High School student, fatally struck in Chicago Ridge hit-and-run
CHICAGO RIDGE, Ill. (WLS) -- A 15-year-old Richards High School student was fatally struck Monday morning by a hit-and-run driver near the school, according to police in south suburban Chicago Ridge.
The girl was identified as Amira Nairat, according to a post on the school's Facebook page.
"Amira was a quiet but kind student. She was so dedicated to her studies and the happiness of her classmates. While she was just a freshman, her teachers spent the entire day reflecting on her achievements and the value she added to our school," said Richards Principal Mike Jacobson. "The entire Bulldog community will feel this loss deeply."
The driver, a 25-year-old Oak Lawn man, was taken into custody. Charges were pending Monday evening.
The driver is believed to have been drunk when the teen was hit, authorities said. Dashcam video captured the incident.
Prior to the teen being hit, Chicago Ridge police officers were looking for a 2007 Volkswagen Bug early Monday after Oak Lawn authorities alerted them of a driver suspected of being involved in several earlier hit-and-run crashes.
A Chicago Ridge police officer spotted the wanted vehicle as it headed south on Central near 107th Street.
The officer made a U-turn and was pursuing the Volkswagen when it struck Nairat just after 7:45 a.m. as she was walking along Central near 107th.
Police said the driver did not stop after striking the girl. The officer who was following the vehicle stopped to help her.
Nairat sustained severe injuries to her upper body. She was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where she later died.
The driver was spotted several blocks away and stopped by Chicago Ridge police.
Oak Lawn police said about 10 minutes before the fatal hit-and-run, the driver involved rear-ended another vehicle near 95th Street and Central. The driver kept going, crossed into oncoming traffic and side-swiped another vehicle near 97th Street, before getting involved in the incident near 107th. No one was hurt in the first two incidents, police said.
The Illinois State Police Accident Reconstructionist was called to help in the investigation.
