A Deerfield school board member is being remembered as city officials continue to plea for the public’s help in identifying the hit-and-run driver who fatally struck the woman in Highland Park.
An autopsy performed Friday on Maureen Wener, 49, of Deerfield, showed she died as a result of blunt force injuries, according to Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek.
The Highland Park Police Department and Highland Park Fire Department responded around 12:37 p.m. Friday to Deerfield Road and Piccadilly Road for a report of a bicyclist struck by a vehicle.
First responders arrived and learned Wener had been riding her bicycle.
Wener was struck by a vehicle and suffered severe injuries.
The offending vehicle fled the scene prior to police arriving, according to Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering.
Wener was transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville by ambulance.
She died from her injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital, Rotering said.
The Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) was called to assist the Highland Park Police Department.
Deerfield Road between Carriage Way and Ridge Road was shut down in both directions for several hours during the investigation.
“My deepest condolences to the family of the bicyclist,” Rotering said, adding that additional information will be released once it is available.
Wener was the secretary of the Deerfield Public Schools District 109 Board of Education.
The City of Highland Park said Wednesday that police are continuing their investigation.
“The City extends its deepest condolences to the family of Maureen Wener and to her colleagues on the Deerfield Public Schools District109 Board of Education. Her commitment to the Deerfield and Highland Park communities through her work, public service, and volunteerism will be greatly missed,” the city said in a statement.
A funeral service was held Tuesday for Wener.
“Moe was active on the Deerfield Library and School Boards, loved local politics, her 5 PM Starbucks, sweets – especially chocolate, had a passion for biking,” her obituary said.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Highland Park Police Department at 847-432-7730 or email [email protected].