Chicago Man Struck by Vehicle in Decatur, Sustains Life-Threatening Injuries

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — A late-night accident on the north side of Decatur has left a 23-year-old man from Chicago hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after being struck by an SUV while walking along North Martin Luther King Drive. The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. Thursday night, prompting a swift response from the Decatur Police Department and emergency medical personnel.

Authorities were called to the scene just north of East Pershing Road, where they found the severely injured pedestrian lying in the roadway. Preliminary reports indicate that the young man was walking along the southbound lanes of North MLK Drive when he was hit by an SUV traveling in the same direction.

The pedestrian, whose name has not yet been publicly released, was transported to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition. Police have confirmed that the man had a blood-alcohol content (BAC) level of .167 at the time of the incident—more than twice the legal driving limit in Illinois. Officials also noted that the man was not wearing any reflective or high-visibility clothing, which likely contributed to the driver’s inability to see him clearly in the dark.

Adding complexity to the tragedy is the fact that the area of the crash includes a sidewalk, raising questions about why the individual may have chosen to walk along the roadway rather than the designated pedestrian path.

The driver of the SUV, a 69-year-old Decatur resident, remained at the scene and cooperated fully with police. Authorities said the driver was not injured in the crash and was not found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. No citations or charges have been filed as of now.

“This is an unfortunate and tragic event,” a spokesperson for the Decatur Police Department said. “We urge pedestrians to exercise caution and always use sidewalks or designated walking paths when available. Visibility is critical, especially at night.”

The incident has prompted renewed attention to pedestrian safety along North Martin Luther King Drive, a corridor that experiences regular traffic and has seen previous pedestrian-related incidents. While the area is equipped with sidewalks, some residents have expressed concern about lighting conditions and speeding vehicles.

As of Friday morning, investigators continued to review surveillance footage from nearby businesses and homes, and are working to determine the exact sequence of events. The crash remains under active investigation by the Decatur Police Department’s Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit.

Community reactions have ranged from sympathy for the young man fighting for his life to calls for more public education about pedestrian safety, particularly in areas with high nighttime traffic. Some neighbors say they’ve long advocated for better street lighting and clearer pedestrian signage.

“It’s awful,” said one nearby resident who declined to be named. “Even with sidewalks, people still walk in the street sometimes, especially if they’ve been drinking. But that doesn’t make it any less tragic. We’re all hoping he pulls through.”

The name of the victim is being withheld pending family notification. Authorities have not indicated whether any charges could be filed as the investigation progresses, but emphasized that all parties are cooperating.

This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers pedestrians face when walking near roadways at night, especially without proper safety precautions. Officials are urging both drivers and pedestrians to stay alert, respect road safety rules, and take steps to ensure their visibility in low-light conditions.

Further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.