2015 had a tragic start for the family of Aimer Robledo, a Humboldt Park man who was killed by a hit-and-run driver as he rode his bike home in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
Robledo, 30, worked in construction and catering, and also DJed Mexican music at parties. On New Year’s Eve, he threw a party at his home on the 1400 block of North Avers, where he lived with other family members, DNAinfo reported.
At about 1:30 a.m., as the party was ending, nephew Raphael Hernandez told DNA that Robledo decided to ride his bike to go visit a friend. Hernandez added that his uncle hadn’t been drinking prior to leaving his party. After wishing the friend a happy New Year, Robledo stopped nearby to visit his own wife and two daughters, ages eight and nine, who lived separately from him.
Around 2:40 a.m., Robledo was riding home from his wife’s house when the driver of a dark-colored minivan struck him under a railroad viaduct on the 4700 block of West Division, according to Officer Veejay Zala from Police News Affairs. This industrial stretch of Division has wide lanes and few intersections, which encourages speeding.
Robledo suffered a head injury but was still breathing when the ambulance arrived, Hernandez told DNA. Robledo was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:37 a.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
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The crash site from the driver's perspective.
The driver has not yet been identified. Major Accidents is investigating the case. Hernandez told DNA he received a call from the police notifying him that a damaged van was abandoned in Lakeview, but they were not certain if it is the same vehicle from the crash.
According to bike lawyer Brendan Kevenides (a Streetsblog sponsor), there are private security cameras along the block where Robledo was struck. Kevenides said police should be able to recover images of the van if they act quickly.
Robledo’s relatives described him as a fun-loving man who worked hard to support his children. Hernandez told DNA his uncle rarely drove, and instead rode his bicycle everywhere. "I just don't know how someone is even capable of taking a human life and not taking responsibility."
