Woman Suspected in String of Hit-and-Runs Sparks Police Chase

Evanston police said three hit-and-run accidents were reported in the area around 10:45 a.m.

Police believe one woman may have been responsible for a string of hit-and-runs in a Chicago suburb Sunday.

Evanston police said three hit-and-run accidents were reported in the area around 10:45 a.m., involving a car, a motorized scooter and a cyclist. The incident sparked a police chase that ended in suburban Skokie.

“We could see her swerving, just missing cars,” said witness Cleveland Burkitt.

Police said a blue Toyota Corolla hit a car near Ridge Avenue and Davis Street in Evanston. That same car went on to hit a woman on a motorized scooter, sending her to the hospital with minor injuries, officials said.

The worst accident came when police said the car also hit a man riding his bike in the 700 block of Main Street, nearly snapping the bike in two pieces.

“We saw a bicycle down on the ground, lots of fire engines and tons of police cars around,” said bystanders Cheryl Nester-Detweiler. “We knew something fairly major had happened.”

Evanston police chased the vehicle into Skokie, stopping the driver on Main Street.

“Next thing I know they’re pulling her out of the car,” said Burkitt. “We can hear her say ‘I didn’t do anything. Why are you doing this? I didn’t do anything.’”

Police took the 63-year-old female driver from Wilmette into custody and to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

There did not appear to be any substance abuse involved, according to Evanston Police Commander Jay Parrott.

Police said the cyclist was transported to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston in critical condition with injuries to his head. His condition was later stabilized.

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