The coroner has released the identity of a 59-year-old man who died after being struck by an SUV while walking on Washington Street near the entrance to Six Flags in Gurnee.
The Gurnee Fire Department and Gurnee Police Department responded around 10:08 p.m. Monday to the area of Washington Street and Six Flags Drive for a vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.
Gurnee Fire Department Lt. Joe Olsen said an ambulance, a fire engine and a battalion chief were dispatched and arrived to find an SUV that struck a pedestrian.
The crash occurred on Washington Street near the entrance to Six Flags Great America.
Paramedics found the pedestrian had suffered significant trauma and was unresponsive.
Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek identified the victim on Wednesday as Richard Bennett, 59, of Gurnee.
Bennett was pronounced dead at the scene, Olsen said.
Two people occupied the SUV involved and paramedics evaluated them but they declined transport to the hospital, Olsen said.
Gurnee Police Department Public Information Officer Shawn Gaylor said the driver remained at the scene and was cooperating fully with investigators.
The Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team (MCAT) was called to assist the Gurnee Police Department in the investigation.
Washington Street was completely shut down for approximately five hours while the investigation and crash reconstruction were completed.
Gaylor said a preliminary investigation showed Bennett was walking in the eastbound lanes of Washington Street when he was struck by the SUV, which was also traveling eastbound.
The Lake County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and took possession of Bennett.
An autopsy performed on Tuesday showed Bennett died as a result of blunt force injuries as a result of the crash.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Gurnee Police Department and MCAT.