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Humboldt Park Cyclist Was Visiting Family Before Fatal Hit-And-Run

By Mina Bloom | January 1, 2015 9:49am | Updated on January 1, 2015 3:23pm
 Aimer Robledo, 30, was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Humboldt Park, police say.
Aimer Robledo, 30, was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Humboldt Park, police say.
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HUMBOLDT PARK — Family and friends are mourning the death of Aimer Robledo, a 30-year-old DJ and father of two who was killed by a hit-and-run driver as he rode his bicycle in the early morning hours of New Year's Day.

"I just don't know how someone is even capable of taking a human life and not taking responsibility," Rafael Hernandez, a nephew of Robledo, said Thursday.

Robledo's wife "is really devastated right now," Hernandez said. "They just don't know how to tell the two daughters right now."

Robledo was killed in the 4700 block of West Division around 2:40 a.m., police said. He had been visiting his wife and children, age 8 and 9, to wish them a Happy New Year, said Hernandez, explaining that Robledo did not live with the three.

 Aimer Robledo, 30, was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Humboldt Park, police say.
Aimer Robledo, 30, was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Humboldt Park, police say.
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DNAinfo

Robledo had thrown a New Year's Eve party at a home he shared with other family members in the 1400 block of North Avers Avenue though he wasn't drinking prior to getting on his bike, Hernandez said. Around 1:30 a.m., after most of the guests had left, he got a call from a friend who lived near his wife and two daughters, the nephew said. Robledo decided to visit both his friend and his wife and daughters, Hernandez said.

On his way back from visiting his wife, he was struck by what police described as a dark-colored minivan traveling westbound on Division. Robledo was initially listed in critical condition after being transported to Mount Sinai Hospital. He was pronounced dead shortly after, according to Chicago police spokeswoman Officer Amina Greer.

Hernandez said that Robledo hit his head during the accident, but that his uncle was still breathing when the ambulance arrived on the scene. Robledo died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, the nephew said.

Police said Major Accidents Investigation Unit is currently investigating the fatal incident. 

Hernandez said he received a call from police saying they found a mangled van in Lakeview that was left in the middle of the road, though it was unclear whether the vehicle is related to the accident. The driver has not yet been found.

Robledo "always" rode his bicycle, and he never really drove a car, according to Hernandez. But his bike wasn't flashy, as he "wasn't that big of a spender."

Robledo was "one of the happiest people" and worked as a DJ who went by "DJ Guerro Mix," the nephew said. When Robledo wasn't spinning Mexican music around Chicago, he worked construction jobs. He also played soccer and was known for helping his family out "in any way possible," Hernandez said.

"He made everyone happy the way he DJed," Hernandez said, adding that his uncle was "very funny."

Nearby resident and friend Jose Morales said Robledo DJed just about every party held on the block.

Morales, 25, lives further west on Augusta Boulevard, but he's known Robledo for the past eight years. 

He said while Robledo and his wife had both their good and bad times, he was always over at his wife's house to see his kids. 

"I didn't get a chance to tell him happy New Year," Morales said on the block Thursday. "That's messed up. I hope the family gets justice."

Robledo's wife works at a warehouse at North Avenue and Kostner Avenue, according to Morales.

Another one of his friends Kassandra Garcia, 21, said everyone in the neighborhood knew and loved the 30-year-old DJ. To Garcia and many others, Robledo was known as "Guerro" or "DJ Memis." 

Garcia, who also lives nearby, recalled her birthday party in September when family and friends drew on Robledo's face after he had fallen asleep. She said he's DJed all of her parties, and would sometimes break dance.

Many of Robledo's relatives live in Mexico. Hernandez said his family is still in the process of notifying everyone.

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