Chicago hit-and-run: Toddler dies after being struck by vehicle on Northwest Side

CHICAGO - A 15-month-old boy has died after being struck by a vehicle in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood Monday afternoon.

According to police, the child, now identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office as Hermes Rios-Cardona, was being put into the backseat of a white Toyota Rav 4 near Pulaski Road and Wilson Avenue around 2 p.m.

The boy was not secured into the backseat and exited the vehicle. He was then struck by a passing pick-up truck heading northbound on Pulaski Road.

The pick-up truck then fled the scene, police said.

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The child was transported to Lurie Children's Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

Hermes Rios-Cardona | Legal Help Firm

Mark Solano, who works at Ruby's Fast Food on Pulaski Road, said the child and his family were in the restaurant before the accident happened.

"I simply gave them their order and the next thing I know — it just happened in the blink of an eye," said Solano, who saw commotion on the street and went outside to hear the mother’s cries. "She was just crying, praying, just hoping that her kid survives."

Neighbors have started a memorial on Pulaski to remember the little boy.

"I felt sick to my stomach. I couldn’t imagine," said Cherish Phillips, who brought balloons and a candle to the scene Monday night.

Police released images Monday night of the dark-colored, two-tone, Ford pickup truck that they believe was responsible for the crash.

The driver of this truck is suspected in a hit-and-run that killed a toddler Monday on the city's Northwest Side | Chicago police

If you know anything about this incident, contact CPD's Major Accident Investigation Unit at (312) 745-4521.