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73-Year-Old Pedestrian in Critical Condition After South Shore Hit-And-Run

By  Erica Demarest and Kelly Bauer | May 8, 2017 10:20am | Updated on May 8, 2017 5:59pm

 Jean Leonard, 38, is charged with fleeing the scene of an accident and failing to render aid.
Jean Leonard, 38, is charged with fleeing the scene of an accident and failing to render aid.
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DNAinfo; Chicago Police Department

COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A 73-year-old pedestrian is still in critical condition following a Saturday hit-and-run in South Chicago, prosecutors said Monday.

Driver Jean Leonard, 38, appeared in bond court Monday on charges of fleeing the scene of an accident, failing to render aid, driving without insurance and failing to yield to a pedestrian.

Prosecutors allege Leonard was driving a red 2002 Honda Civic about 3:30 p.m. Saturday when he slammed into a 73-year-old man crossing the road in the 8100 block of South Yates Boulevard.

Several witnesses who heard screeching tires, turned toward the crash site to see the victim tumbling over the hood of the Honda, Assistant State's Attorney Erin Antonietti said Monday at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, 2650 S. California Ave.

Leonard briefly stopped and said something to the victim before fleeing the scene, prosecutors said.

The witnesses were able to write down Leonard's license-plate number, court records show, and the man turned himself in to police about 7 p.m. Saturday.

The victim, who lives in Hammond, Ind., was in Chicago helping his nephew with landscaping work, Antonietti said. As of Monday afternoon, the victim was still intubated in critical condition.

Cook County Judge Donald Panarese Jr. on Monday said Leonard, of the 2800 block of East 76th Street, could be released on his own recognizance pending trial so long as he qualifies for an electronic-monitoring program. If not, the judge said, Leonard will be responsible for $250,000 bail.