URBANA, Ill. (Chambana Today) — A pedestrian struck during a wrong-way traffic crash near the University of Illinois campus early Saturday morning has died from their injuries, Urbana police confirmed in an afternoon update.
The crash occurred at about 2:13 a.m. Dec. 20 at the intersection of Green Street and Mathews Avenue in Urbana. According to police, a red Buick traveling the wrong direction on Mathews Avenue collided with a University of Illinois police officer’s squad car before spinning out of control and onto the sidewalk.
The out-of-control vehicle struck a pedestrian near the intersection. The victim was transported to Carle Hospital, where they later died from injuries sustained in the crash.
The University of Illinois police officer involved was also taken to Carle Hospital and treated for minor injuries, police said.
Following the collision, the driver of the red Buick fled the scene on foot and remains at large. The Urbana Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit is continuing to lead the investigation and is actively searching for the driver.
Police have not released the names of those involved.
Urbana police are asking anyone with information about the crash to call 217-384-2320. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 217-373-8477, visiting 373tips.com, or using the P3 Tips mobile app.
