A 24-year-old Lawndale man was ordered held on $25,000 bail Friday for his alleged role in a fatal hit-and-run in Homan Square last spring.
Terry Hill was speeding at about 50 mph in a Dodge Charger when he struck 62-year-old Curtis Washington as he tried to cross the street in the 1100 block of South Kedzie Avenue on May 24, Cook County prosecutors said.
Washington began walking in the street after another motorist motioned for him to go ahead because the light was close to changing, prosecutors said.
Hill briefly stopped his vehicle after striking Washington, but then allegedly drove away while others called 911.
Washington was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he died.
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A witness took cellphone video of Hill’s car, and the vehicle was also caught on surveillance cameras in the area before and after the crash, prosecutors said. When officers arrived at Hill’s house later, he was recorded on police-worn body cameras allegedly admitting he had been driving the Charger and had smoked marijuana before he got behind the wheel.
A blood test later showed THC, the active chemical for marijuana, in Hill’s system. Blood was recovered from the windshield of the Charger, but prosecutors did not say Friday whether the blood was tested to see if it matched Hill’s DNA.
Hill was initially held for 48 hours, but was later released.
But on Thursday, Hill was arrested at his home and charged with reckless homicide and leaving the scene of an accident.
Defense attorney John Curnyn said Hill was speeding because he was fleeing a incident “where he was fearing for his safety,” but the lawyer did not provide additional details.
Curnyn said Hill, a lifelong Chicagoan, lives with his parents, has an infant and previously worked for a company that makes candy bars.
Hill is expected back in court on Aug. 6.
