Skip to Content
Streetsblog Chicago home
Log In
Driving

SUV driver fatally struck pedestrian John M. Roche Jr., 21, in Mount Greenwood

12:31 PM CDT on July 13, 2020

The intersection of 111th and Pulaski. Image: Google Maps

The driver of an SUV struck and killed John M. Roche Jr., 20, Saturday night as he was walking in the Mount Greenwood neighborhood on the Southwest Side.

According to the Chicago Police Department, the driver of a 2015 Honda SUV told responding officers he was driving southbound at 11:50 p.m. in the 11100 block of South Pulaski Road when Roche "stepped into traffic in front of his vehicle, causing [the driver] to strike the victim."

However, the victim is not alive to tell his side of the story. A police spokesperson did not provide answers to questions about which direction Roche was walking, whether he was in a crosswalk, and who had the green light. At the intersection 111th and Pulaski, both roadways have five-lanes.

Roche was transported to Holy Cross Hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to the CPD. He lived two blocks west of the crash site on the 11100 block of South Keeler Avenue in Oak Lawn, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Major Accidents is investigating the crash. As of this morning there were no charges or citations.

Fatality Tracker: 2020 Chicago pedestrian and bicyclist deaths on surface streets

Pedestrian: 13
Bicyclist: 4

Note: Streetsblog Chicago’s traffic death numbers represent fatal crashes on Chicago surface streets, based on media reports and/or preliminary Chicago Police Department data released by the Chicago Department of Transportation.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Chicago

Fifth and Final Day of SBC’s Bike Lane Week: Near Northwest Side, Far West Side, Near West Side, Near North Side

I have ridden a heck of a lot of bike lanes, and had the pleasure of visiting many of our city's diverse neighborhoods.

December 9, 2023

After trying to pick up her phone while driving SUV, off-duty CPD officer jumped curb and killed Maria Schwab, 56, on sidewalk

It's infuriating that a person who was entrusted to help keep the public safe was reckless enough to take her eyes off the road while driving to pick up a phone, with tragic consequences.

December 8, 2023

Day Four of Streetsblog Chicago’s Bike Lane Week: A few surprises on the Mid-North Side

Interestingly, I saw a few things that were previously off my sustainable transportation infrastructure geek radar.

December 8, 2023

Not so Swift: Yellow Line restoration drags on after crash, as confusion reigns over shuttle bus service

Yellow ‘L’ line service remains suspended three weeks after a November 16 collision with a snowplow, and the shuttle service is unpredictable.

December 7, 2023
See all posts