Joliet police investigate hit-and-run near Will County Detention Facility – NBC Chicago

An intersection in Joliet was closed to traffic Saturday night while police investigated a fatal hit-and-run crash involving a tractor-trailer, authorities said.

The incident was reported around 4:05 p.m. near Washington Street and Ottawa Street near the Will County Adult Detention Facility.

Joliet police officers arrived at the scene and spoke with witnesses who said the victim was struck and run over by a semi-truck, police said. The semi-truck, which continued south on Ottawa Road after the collision, was being sought by authorities Saturday evening.

The victim, a 21-year-old man from New Lenox, was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. Police said he had just been released from prison before the accident.

At around 6 p.m., police announced that the intersection would remain closed for “several hours” as officers continued to search the accident site. Drivers were asked to avoid the area in the meantime.

A detailed description of the tractor-trailer was not immediately available.

Any possible witnesses were asked to call the Joliet Police Department Traffic Unit at 815-724-3100.