Chicago police searching for driver in deadly hit-and-run

CHICAGO (Fox 32/Sun-Times Media Wire) - A woman was killed and a man was seriously injured Thursday morning when they were struck by a minivan in the South Side Englewood neighborhood.

The crash happened shortly before 11:20 a.m. in the 5600 block of South Racine Avenue, Chicago police said.

Connie Mangrum, 52, and a 19-year-old man were standing on a sidewalk when a silver-colored minivan struck them and continued driving, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Mangrum, who lived a couple blocks away, was pronounced dead 20 minutes later, authorities said. The 19-year-old suffered injuries that were life-threatening.

Witness Luther Clark grabbed his 3-year-old son.

“Left the road, went on the curb, came out of nowhere, hit as many people as he could I guess,” Clark said.

While Keith Smith believes a higher force saved him.

“You know God just moved me off the corner,” Smith said. “She like an Auntie, everybody loved her around here."

“I don't really know if it was a hit or somebody putting a target out to someone,” Clark said.

As police started their search for the speeding silver van, people had a clear message for the driver.

“Go to hell, that's where you belong. You killed an innocent bystander, a lady that I love. That was a good lady that did nothing to harm anyone ever, so go to hell,” Clark said.

Police said the minivan, possibly a Dodge Caravan, has extensive damage to the front driver’s side from the impact.

The minivan was last seen traveling east on 58th Street from Racine, police said.

Anyone with information for detectives was asked to call (312) 745-4521.