Man dies in hit-and-run accident shortly after his release from prison in Joliet

JOLIET, Illinois — An investigation is underway Saturday afternoon into a fatal hit-and-run crash involving a man recently released from prison in Joliet.

According to police, the accident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. at the intersection of West Washington Street and West Jefferson Street, less than a quarter mile from the Will County Adult Detention Facility.

Officers were alerted to a report of a hit-and-run in the area and found the victim lying on the ground at the intersection when they arrived at the scene.

A witness later reported to police that the man had been hit by a semi-trailer truck driving through the area.

The victim was later pronounced dead at the scene of the accident; he had sustained injuries in the accident.

According to police, the semi-trailer was traveling south at the time of the accident and continued driving after colliding with the victim.

Officials later learned that the victim, whose identity has not yet been released, had been released from the Will County Adult Detention Center immediately prior to the accident.

Police said the search for the driver involved is currently ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Joliet Police Department’s Traffic Unit at 815-724-3100 or 911.