Traffic aide injured in Cubs-Sox game hit-and-run By Cyndi Loza Special to the Daily Southtown A traffic aide was injured in a hit-and-run accident Sunday as the final Cubs-Sox interleague series game played at U.S. The woman was directing traffic before she was struck at 31st and La Salle streets shortly before 12:40 p.
m., police said. Witnesses said the unidentified aide was struck by a Chevrolet Silverado sport utility vehicle, according to Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford.
The SUV continued driving on La Salle, witnesses told officials. The victim was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in serious condition, but she had improved by Sunday evening, said Langford. One person was taken into police custody after leaving the scene, police news affairs officer JoAnn Taylor said.
Two Chicago traffic-control aides were killed earlier this year, including Angela Jaynes Gage, 39, who was directing traffic at Archer and Ashland avenues in April when she was stuck by a car. Julian "Jay" Alamillo, 44, died from his injures after he was hit by a vehicle in March while directing traffic at Grand and Kilpatrick avenues. Charges were filled against the drivers in both cases.
Incidents such as these have prompted city officials to push for an ordinance that will punish drivers who cause injury or death to traffic aides or crossing guards in Illinois. "(Traffic aides) need the same protection that are awarded right now in the law to police officers and construction workers that work on the roadways," Office of Emergency Management and Communications spokesman Kevin Smith said Sunday.
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