Driver charged in fatal Waukegan hit-and-run told police he hit raccoon

Victor Rivas-Martinez Jr. | Waukegan Police Department

A suburban man has been charged with allegedly leaving the scene of a crash that killed a North Chicago woman on New Year's Day.

The crash happened around 4:45 a.m. Wednesday at Lewis Avenue and Jenkinson Court in Waukegan. Police officers found a woman on the side of the road along with her belongings and vehicle debris. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Thursday, the Lake County Coroner identified her as 44-year-old Tiffany Thomas of North Chicago.

An autopsy revealed Thomas died from blunt force injuries resulting from the crash, according to the coroner.

The driver had fled the scene prior to police officers' arrival. Further investigation revealed the vehicle involved in the crash was a gray 2003 Toyota sedan. Officers later found the vehicle in Waukegan with damage consistent with the crash and evidence recovered at the scene.

The sedan was towed to the Waukegan Police Department where a search warrant was executed.

Victor Rivas-Martinez, Jr., a 22-year-old from Waukegan, was arrested and charged with failure to remain on the scene of an accident and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, both felonies. He was also charged with failure to report an accident, no valid driver's license and no proof of insurance.

Rivas-Martinez initially told officers that he had hit a raccoon with his vehicle, but Waukegan police said the damage to the vehicle was not consistent with his account.

WaukeganCrime and Public SafetyNewsNorth Chicago