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Driver Kills West Garfield Park Man While Backing Out of Garage: Police

By Quinn Ford | September 8, 2014 10:46pm
 Vernon Smith, of the 4000 block of W. Gladys Ave. was pronounced dead early Monday morning. (File photo)
Vernon Smith, of the 4000 block of W. Gladys Ave. was pronounced dead early Monday morning. (File photo)
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CHICAGO — A 59-year-old man died after a driver ran him over while backing out of a garage in West Garfield Park last week, police said.

The man was laying down near a garage in the alleyway of the 4000 block of West Van Buren Street about 6:30 p.m. last Wednesday when a driver backing out of the garage ran over him, said Officer Veejay Zala, a police spokesman.

The man was taken to John H. Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:09 a.m. Monday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

Officials there identified the man as Vernon Smith, of the 4000 block of West Gladys Avenue.

Smith's death was ruled an accident and chronic alcoholism was deemed a contributing factor to his death, according to the medical examiner's office.

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