Early Sunday morning, a sad hit-and-run incident happened that claimed the life of a 56-year-old bicyclist. Identified as Donald Shiner, the deceased was injured while riding Larkin Avenue, one of Joliet’s busiest thoroughfares; the driver of the car involved left the scene before law enforcement could provide aid.
A news release from Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said that following reports of a collision involving a cyclist, officers were sent to the 200 block of South Larkin Avenue at about 2:47 a.m. Arriving, police discovered an unconscious Shiner in the southbound lanes close to his bike. A passing vehicle saw him and promptly called emergency services.
Shiner reportedly had an unidentifiable car strike him that did not stop following the crash. Later declared dead, he was taken by Joliet Fire Department paramedics to Ascension St. Joseph Medical Centre.
Law enforcement had not found the suspect vehicle as of Sunday afternoon, so public help was requested. Authorities advise everyone with camera footage or incident knowledge to contact the Joliet Police Department Traffic Unit at 815-724-3110.
The road was temporarily closed to enable traffic crash investigators to fully reconstruct the scene, as the community laments Shiner’s death and pursues justice for this terrible tragedy.
