80-year-old homeless man fatally struck by Jaguar in Joliet

(JOLIET) An 80-year-old man was fatally struck by a car Tuesday afternoon in southwest suburban Joliet.

The pedestrian crossed Jefferson Street from the northwest corner at the intersection with Reed Street at 12:42 p.m. against the traffic light, according to Joliet police.

The man stepped off the curb into the street, and the driver of a pickup in the outside lane saw him and slammed on his brakes, avoiding striking him, police said.

The black 2004 Jaguar was in an inside lane about one car-length behind the pickup when the 80-year-old man suddenly appeared, police said.

The driver of the Jaguar, a 19-year-old Joliet man, slammed on the brakes but was unable to avoid striking him, police said. The man was thrown into the hood and windshield of the car, and fell to the ground.

A surveillance video from a nearby business captured the crash, police said.

The pedestrian, who was homeless, suffered two broken legs, a fractured left arm and bruising on the brain, police said.

He was taken to Saint Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, where he was pronounced dead at 2:57 p.m., according to the Will County coroner’s office. His name has not yet been released pending notification of family.

Police said there was no evidence of drug or alcohol use by the driver or the pedestrian. The driver will not be charged.