This article was revised on January 3 after the PFPD released their statement to reflect the approximate time of the accident.
Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- An official at St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights has confirmed that a male pedestrian, struck while walking along 26th Street at approximately 7 p.m. Friday in Park Forest, was declared dead after arriving at the emergency room.
According to a statement issued Saturday by the Park Forest Police Department, the victim has been identified as Albert Valdez, age 53, of Chicago Heights, who died after being transported to St. James Hospital, Chicago Heights Campus, for emergency medical treatment.
Park Forest police had 26th Street blocked from the west entrance to Allegheny Street almost to Birch Street while police investigated at the scene.
One driver was observed to ignore cones placed at 26th and Algonquin Streets, trapping a cone under his car. Another vehicle disregarded and swerved between the cones.
One officer at the scene remarked that drivers appeared to be navigating around the cones as if it was "a video game."
All street lights were lit on 26th Street, but the south side of the street by the Forest Preserve is especially dark. That is where police had the vehicle pulled over that struck the pedestrian.
The driver is a Park Forest resident. Police are still investigating whether the driver was on medication and have not ruled out alcohol contributing cause at this time.
Related: Park Forest Police Statement on Jan. 2 Death of Pedestrian on 26th St.
