THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE STORY BY JENNIFER BAILEY
Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden reports that next of kin has been located for James W. Ritter of Danville.
McFadden said she located two cousins of Ritter’s, who are brothers.
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Tuesday afternoon update:
The pedestrian who died after being struck by a car has been identified as U.S. Army Veteran James W. Ritter of Danville, said Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden.
The Illinois State Police and the coroner’s office are continuing to investigate the matter, and McFadden said that attempts to find living relatives of the 82-year-old “have been exhausted.”
Anyone with information about Ritter’s next of kin is asked to contact the coroner’s office at 217-554-6030.
ORIGINAL STORY:
DANVILLE — An 82-year-old pedestrian was killed after being hit by a vehicle early Sunday morning on Gilbert Street near the Days Hotel by Wyndham, according to the Danville and state police.
Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden has not yet released his name.
Danville police said officers responded at 3:34 a.m. Sunday to a report of a vehicle-pedestrian crash in the 100 block of North Gilbert Street. Upon arrival, they found the victim, a Danville man, unresponsive. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the vehicle was also at the scene and uninjured.
Danville police contacted the Illinois State Police and requested their assistance in conducting an accident-reconstruction investigation. At this time, the investigation has been turned over to state police.
The preliminary investigation by state police indicates Troop 7 units responded at 4:11 a.m. Sunday.
State police said the vehicle, a 2014 Ford Fusion, was traveling north on Gilbert Street when the pedestrian entered the roadway in front of it, not in a crosswalk or at an intersection, and was hit.
The driver of the vehicle was issued citations for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor and aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs causing death.
The investigation into the incident continues, and no other information is being released at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to call Danville police at 217-431-2250 or, if wishing to remain anonymous, Vermilion County Crime Stoppers at 217-446-8477.
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