A woman has been charged with murder after police say she fatally struck her boyfriend with a car in downtown Waukegan early Friday morning.
Waukegan Chief of Police Wayne Walles said that officers and paramedics were called to a report of a man lying in the roadway near Washington Street and Genesee Street in Waukegan around 5:30 a.m. Friday.
Police found Mark Bernard, 41, of Waukegan, down in the road after being hit by a car. Bernard was transported by ambulance to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Later that same day, police arrested Alfie Abston, 39, of Waukegan. Abston was charged with one count of first-degree murder.
Detectives called the incident “domestically charged.” Officials said that a verbal altercation took place between Abston and Bernard, which escalated to Abston hitting Bernard with her vehicle.
Abston, who was in a long-term relationship with Bernard, fled the scene, police said. Abston’s vehicle, a 2007 sedan, was later recovered by police.
Lake County Coroner Dr. Howard Cooper said that Bernard died from multiple injuries due to blunt force trauma. The Lake County Coroner’s Office has not been able to make contact yet with any relatives of the man.
Family members of Bernard are asked to call the Lake County Coroner’s Office at 847-377-2200.
Abston remains held in the Lake County Jail on a $3 million bond. She is scheduled to appear in court again on November 1.