The Lake County Coroner’s Office has released the identity of a woman who died after being struck by a hit-and-run vehicle in Waukegan Wednesday evening.
Jenny Gaston, 45, of Zion, died of multiple blunt force injuries consistent with being struck by a vehicle, according to Lake County Coroner Dr. Howard Cooper. Toxicology results are pending.
The Waukegan Fire Department and Waukegan Police Department responded around 5:40 p.m. Wednesday to Sheridan Road and Greenwood Avenue for a report of a person lying in the roadway.
Police officers located a “badly injured” woman, later identified as Gaston, in the roadway, Waukegan Police Commander Joe Florip said. The woman was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead from her injuries.
Due to the severity of the incident, the Waukegan Police Department’s Traffic and Criminal Investigation divisions are investigating. Investigators said that Gaston was walking southbound on Sheridan Road at Greenwood Avenue when she was struck.
Investigators believe that a dark-colored SUV was involved but they do not know to what extent, Florip said.
“We have been in close contact with Ms. Gaston’s family and our deepest condolences go out to them during this difficult time. This is truly a tragedy,” Cooper said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Waukegan Police Department Traffic Division at 847-599-2630.